ANDY Buckworth (pictured) has been appointed executive director of the £20m training centre being built at Middlesbrough College.

The STEM centre will open in September, providing employers and students with world class training in science, technology, engineering and maths.

A former director of TTE (Teesside Training Enterprise), which he joined in 1991, he said: "The opportunity that exists within the North East for inward investment and growth of our regional industries is huge, but it must be matched by a world class skills and competency base – the STEM Centre is set to deliver those skills and competencies."

A steering group of leading employers and key business organisations, provides the college with precise details on what skills, competencies, and training equipment is required.

During 22 years with TTE, Mr Buckworth was involved in setting up and running new training operations for BP in Scotland, Azerbaijan and Oman, and in developing a new training centre for OPITO in the Middle East.

Before joining Middlesbrough College, he spent two years leading a training Academy for a company in the north-east of Scotland.