Last month Rachel Beeken, Operations Director, Logistics at PD Ports, was proudly appointed as a Governor on the board of the Education Training Collective (Etc.), a group of educational partners who share ambitions of providing further education opportunities for young people in Teesside.
Etc., which incorporates Stockton Riverside College, Redcar and Cleveland College, NETA Training, Bede Sixth Form College, The Skills Academy and the Tees Valley Logistics Academy, aims to share resources, best practice and expertise to create greater learning opportunities for students and ensures a cohesive and effective transition across the group.
Following in the footsteps of PD Ports’ Group HR Director, Russ McCallion, who stepped down from his Governorship earlier this year, Rachel now joins an esteemed group of specialists who will work to continue driving the college group forward and inspire upcoming talent.
Having worked in logistics for over two decades, Rachel has amassed a wealth of experience in warehousing, transport and contract managing before joining PD Ports in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic.
Already volunteering her time as a mentor for young people within PD Ports, Rachel said she is now looking forward to this new challenge and to driving forward opportunities for young people across Teesside.
“The Governor’s role wasn’t really something that I had considered previously,” admitted Rachel. “However, I’m incredibly passionate about supporting young people and enabling the next generation to thrive, something that made PD Ports a great fit for me when I moved to the area a year ago.
“Through my role as a mentor to Emily Clark, Civil Engineering Apprentice at PD Ports, I have already developed an understanding and general awareness that a career in the maritime sector, or in logistics, often isn’t on the radar for young people whilst they’re still in education.
“I therefore hope to be able to bring some of my business experience to the Etc. to support the group in making positive decisions and continuing to move forward whilst making careers in logistics look attractive and most importantly, attainable.
“I really value the strong connections between industry and education in the Tees Valley and hope that I can continue to build those strong links through my role as Governor.”
