'I certainly never imagined being here 23 years later'

'EMOTIONAL' GOODBYE FOR COLLEGE GROUP CEO WHERE HE STARTED AS A TEAM LEADER

- By JADE MCELWEE

From front left, anti-clockwise: Redcar and Cleveland College principal Jason Faulkner, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council Councillor Mary Lanigan, bp's UK head of country and senior vice president of Europe Louise Kingham CBE, Redcar and Cleveland College's head of construction and engineering, Neil Bowen, RWE Sofia Windfarm's supply chain manager Graham Wright and Northern Gas Networks' HR director Lindsey Filer

WHEN Jason Faulkner, fresh out of the army, started work as a Prince's Trust Team leader at the then Stockton and Billingham Technical College he could have had no idea of what lay ahead. “I certainly never imagined being here 23 years later as the deputy chief executive officer of what is now the Education Training Collective,” he said.

Looking back at a career jam packed with highlights, it makes walking away all the more difficult. But after over two decades of helping the group achieve its 'outstanding' potential, Jason is preparing to bid a fond farewell to the organisation that gave him new direction.

As the newly appointed Principal and Chief Executive of Burnley College, he is looking forward to the new challenge and exciting opportunities ahead. “It is quite emotional, and I don’t think it has truly sunk in yet,” said the Middlesbrough dad whose roots are firmly forged on Teesside.

“But I am optimistic about the future and being able to share the skills I have developed with another college and the surrounding communities there, and add value to their, and my, next chapter.” The Education Training Collective encompasses Stockton Riverside College, Bede Sixth Form College, NETA Training, Redcar and Cleveland College and Innersummit, and Jason has been there every step of the way.