Access to a specialist workforce

Wilton International provides businesses with direct access to the joint-largest chemical manufacturing workforce (1,750 workers ¹) and the highest sector workforce concentration (10 x the national average ² ) of skilled technical and research and development (R&D) workers. Companies investing on the site can benefit in areas including recruitment, skills development and efficient investment project delivery.

Skills partnerships for industry

Teesside’s established, skilled labour force is supported by dedicated education and skills providers - including colleges, universities and technical training providers - that work in close partnership with industry. Courses, qualifications and aligned with the needs of industry are available from Level 2 (further education college) through to degree and postgraduate levels (university).

Infographic: Depicts data for number of primary chemicals manufacturing workers and scientific research and development workers available in Teesside.

Specialisations aligned with the needs of Wilton International-based businesses include mechanical, chemical, process, energy, renewables, petrochemical, offshore, automotive and aerospace engineering and technologies.

Sembcorp apprenticeships

Site-owner Sembcorp offers an award-winning apprenticeship programme that has seen amazing results in enabling the company to develop their talent pipeline. 37% of the company’s current shift operations team are former apprentices and many of the managers themselves - up to a very senior level - started with Sembcorp as apprentices.

Sembcorp was crowned NEPIC’s ‘Apprenticeship Employer of the Year’ in 2023, following recognition as ‘Large Business of the Year’ at the Northern Skills Apprenticeship Awards ceremony in 2022.

Sembcorp community investments

Sembcorp works in partnership with communities close to Wilton International and invests in initiatives that can have a profound impact on people’s lives. Sembcorp’s community investment strategy supports the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 of Affordable and Clean Energy and the company also supports colleagues’ charitable activities with match-funding donations to causes close to their hearts.

Sources:
1 Data applies to Wilton International’s core labour catchment area: Middlesbrough and Stockton Travel to Work Area (ONS). Numbers are rounded.
2 Workforce concentrations vs the national average’ are Location Quotients.