Meet John Cooke, Associate Director of TTE!
John began his career in industry after leaving school to complete a Youth Training Scheme with Cummins Diesel Engines. This qualification sparked his interest in mechanical engineering, leading him to pursue a full-time apprenticeship in the field.
After 20 years in the industry, a colleague who had recently joined TTE reached out to John about a new opportunity, and he decided it was time for a career change. He successfully secured a position as a Trainer in Mechanical Engineering, starting his career at TTE. After obtaining his teaching qualifications, he quickly rose through the ranks, progressing from CTL for Mechanical Engineering to Operations Manager.
He said: “I’ve had so many amazing opportunities thanks to my career at TTE. I’ve been able to travel the world – to places like Indonesia, Oman, Ghana and Saudi Arabia – for consultation work, meeting people from different cultures all over the world.”
When faced with going into administration in 2019, TTE was acquired by the Middlesbrough College Group. John said: “We were faced with a huge change, and, at the time, we were all unsure of our futures. While it’s been hard work, TTE has turned into a real success story – it’s amazing to see how it’s grown from 2019 to now, and we’re on an upward trend of attracting more students each year.”
Now, as part of the Middlesbrough College Group, John works as the Associate Director of TTE within the College’s Engineering provision.
He said: “My favourite thing about working here is the people, both my colleagues from TTE and new colleagues at Middlesbrough College.
“It’s also really rewarding to see students succeed when they finish their courses and move into their chosen careers.”
In his spare time, John enjoys running, walking, and spending time with his grandchildren.