Freeport Futures: Turning potential into opportunity
This summer marked the successful conclusion of the first Freeport Futures programme, an initiative delivered by Tees Maritime in partnership with Middlesbrough College to help bridge the gap between education and industry.
Designed to give students a real insight into the opportunities emerging across the Tees Valley, the programme challenged multidisciplinary teams to develop a commercially viable business proposition for a plot within Tees Freeport. Along the way, they worked with businesses from across our network, visited Teesworks, received mentoring from industry professionals and, ultimately, presented their ideas to a panel of investors at the Freeport Futures Expo.
For the students, it was an opportunity to apply their learning to a genuine commercial challenge.
For industry, it was an opportunity to invest in the people who will shape the future of our sector.
One of the biggest challenges facing maritime, and many other industries, is ensuring we have the workforce, skills and ambition needed to support future growth. Addressing that challenge requires more than careers events or classroom presentations. It means giving young people meaningful experiences that help them understand the industries on their doorstep, the careers available within them, and the confidence to see themselves as part of that future.
That is exactly what Freeport Futures set out to achieve.
Throughout the programme, businesses generously gave their time to mentor teams, challenge ideas and share their own experiences. Those conversations brought the project to life, helping students understand not only how businesses operate, but the collaboration, innovation and commercial thinking needed to bring ambitious ideas to reality.
The enthusiasm shown by everyone involved was reflected throughout the programme. Mentors spoke positively about the creativity and professionalism demonstrated by the students, while the students themselves embraced the opportunity to learn directly from people working across the region’s maritime sector.
As mentor Kiran Fothergill reflected after the programme, it was a privilege to support the students and watch their ideas develop, highlighting just how valuable it is when industry makes the time to invest in future talent.
That commitment was echoed by Teesworks, whose support for Freeport Futures reflects a shared ambition to ensure the next generation understands both the scale of opportunity being created across the Tees Valley and the role they can play in it.
Freeport Futures is also a great example of what collaboration can achieve.
No single organisation could deliver a programme like this alone. It relies on education providers, employers and partners working together with a common purpose, creating opportunities that are richer, more relevant and ultimately more impactful for everyone involved.
That is where Tees Maritime adds value.
Our role is to bring organisations together around shared challenges and shared opportunities. Sometimes that means influencing policy. Sometimes it means developing new partnerships. Sometimes, as with Freeport Futures, it means creating practical programmes that connect education and industry in ways that benefit both.
We are incredibly grateful to every business, mentor, speaker, judge and partner who contributed to the programme. Your willingness to share your knowledge and experience has helped create an opportunity that students will remember long after the final presentations.
Freeport Futures may have come to an end for this cohort, but its impact is only just beginning.
The relationships built, the confidence gained and the understanding developed throughout the programme will stay with these students as they continue their education and begin their careers. At the same time, the programme has strengthened the connections between education and industry, creating a model we are excited to build upon in the years ahead.
This is what collaboration looks like in practice. It is also what Tees Maritime exists to do: bringing people together, creating opportunities and helping ensure the next generation is ready to play its part in the future of our region.
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