· Partnership will support trade education in fields including mechanical maintenance and joinery
· New College Durham is the first of ten colleges in the UK to receive tools and training from the DEWALT Academy
New College Durham (NCD), a trailblazer in exceptional skills training, and DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand and leader in total jobsite solutions, today announced its partnership to support growing skills for tradespeople in the United Kingdom. This partnership is part of DEWALT’s Grow the Trades initiative — a $5 million commitment to close the skilled trades gap in Europe by helping provide greater accessibility and resources for trades training.
As part of the Grow the Trades partnership with DEWALT, NCD is the first of 10 colleges in the UK to partner with the newly formed DEWALT Academy, a group of DEWALT product experts who provide hands-on guidance on how to use tools on the jobsite with a focus on trade education including mechanical maintenance and joinery, a woodworking skill. The DEWALT Academy is supporting the school’s vocational courses and apprenticeships by providing additional training and free tools for its aspiring trade professionals.
“The construction industry alone in the UK is expected to lose 500,000 skilled workers over the course of the next decade due to retirement*,” said David Osborne, Vice President of Commercial Excellence at Stanley Black & Decker. “To help fill these critical roles and inspire the next generation of tradespeople, DEWALT, through our Grow The Trades initiative and partnership with NCD, is focused on providing students access to training, high quality tools and equipment to empower them with the skills, confidence, and hands-on experience needed to thrive in their future careers.”
Principal and Chief Executive of New College Durham, Andy Broadbent, shared: “It’s a privilege to be involved in such an amazing new initiative and to lead the way in its launch across the country. We’re honoured to be the sole partner in the North East of England, and to lead the way in bringing this national programme to life at New College Durham. This partnership represents not just an investment in tools, but in people, education, and the future workforce. I am especially excited about the broader benefits this collaboration will bring—from enhanced curriculum development to further opportunities for student and trainee support”
Head of the School of Simon Muschamp concluded with “We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to DEWALT for choosing New College Durham to launch this ambitious project. Your commitment to investing in the next generation of joiners, carpenters, mechanics, and engineers is truly appreciated. Our students will gain so much from this programme, and we’re confident it will leave a lasting impact on their learning journey and future careers.”
Notes to Editors
New College Durham (NCD) is a high performing college focusing on providing an enriching, well-rounded experience. NCD aims for students to gain skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to be a success in their chosen pathway and to positively impact the economy and region. In 2023/24 NCD had over 5,800 students and apprentices enrolled:
· 2,700 young people
· 1,700 adult learning
· 1,400 apprentices
· 1,700 bootcamp learners
New College Durham is one of the leading Further Education colleges in the country and the only North East college in the top 10% nationally for both Further Education (FE, 16-18 years) and Apprenticeships.* they are also the top performing college in the North East for adult provision and in the top 3 nationally!.* (National Achievement Rate Tables published March 2025)
The college recognised as financially ‘Outstanding’ for over a decade, continues to maintain its exacting standards and outstanding student experience while actively seeking growth and diversification in funding and opportunities to innovate.
About DEWALT
DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, is a leader in total jobsite solutions. For more than 100 years, DEWALT has been powering the future of construction with tools and technologies that have been designed, built and tested to help deliver safety and productivity on every jobsite. For more information, visit www.dewalt.com or follow DEWALT on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, is a leader in total jobsite solutions. For more than 100 years, DEWALT has been powering the future of construction with tools and technologies that have been designed, built and tested to help deliver safety and productivity on every jobsite. For more information, visit www.dewalt.com or follow DEWALT on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About Stanley Black & Decker
Founded in 1843 and headquartered in the USA, Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is a worldwide leader in Tools and Outdoor, operating manufacturing facilities globally. The Company's approximately 48,000 employees produce innovative end-user inspired power tools, hand tools, storage, digital jobsite solutions, outdoor and lifestyle products, and engineered fasteners to support the world's builders, tradespeople and DIYers. The Company's world class portfolio of trusted brands includes DEWALT®, CRAFTSMAN®, STANLEY®, BLACK+DECKER®, and Cub Cadet®. To learn more visit: www.stanleyblackanddecker.com or follow Stanley Black & Decker on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
Founded in 1843 and headquartered in the USA, Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is a worldwide leader in Tools and Outdoor, operating manufacturing facilities globally. The Company's approximately 48,000 employees produce innovative end-user inspired power tools, hand tools, storage, digital jobsite solutions, outdoor and lifestyle products, and engineered fasteners to support the world's builders, tradespeople and DIYers. The Company's world class portfolio of trusted brands includes DEWALT®, CRAFTSMAN®, STANLEY®, BLACK+DECKER®, and Cub Cadet®. To learn more visit: www.stanleyblackanddecker.com or follow Stanley Black & Decker on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.