Share On
Thurrock College hosts first Lower Thames Crossing Supply Chain Roadshow
More than 60 local businesses, students and industry leaders come together at Thurrock College to unlock skills, jobs and supply-chain opportunities linked to one of the UK’s biggest infrastructure projects.
Thurrock College, part of South Essex Colleges Group (SECG), has proudly hosted the first ever Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) Supply Chain Roadshow, bringing together education, industry and opportunity under one roof.
Attended by more than 60 local businesses, alongside representatives from the Lower Thames Crossing project, the roadshow showcased the extensive support available to help local firms secure work on one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure schemes.
Hosted by Jen Craft MP, Member of Parliament for Thurrock, the event marked a key moment for SECG, strengthening partnerships with the Lower Thames Crossing team, local employers and students. With LTC planning to recruit almost 50 per cent of its workforce from within 20 miles of the scheme, the project presents exceptional employment and progression opportunities for SECG learners.
Brad Brooks, Principal of Thurrock College, said: “We were delighted to welcome more than 60 SMEs, Lower Thames Crossing representatives and MP Jen Craft to our Thurrock campus for the first event in the LTC roadshow series.
“The day offered an invaluable opportunity for our students, who engaged directly with employers, explored future career routes, and gained high-quality information, advice and guidance. The energy in the room made it clear how powerful these partnerships can be in shaping learner aspirations and supporting local workforce development.”
The roadshows are designed to help local businesses better understand the project’s low-carbon requirements, while also guiding them through how to locate and bid for work more easily, ensuring firms of all sizes can compete with confidence.
Jen Craft MP highlighted the importance of local benefit, saying: “I’ve been very clear that I want local people to benefit from this national infrastructure project.
“That’s why I’m pleased Thurrock’s businesses are being given the training and information they need to secure competitive construction contracts, supporting the creation of well-paid jobs.
“I’ll keep working with the Lower Thames Crossing team to ensure local employers are the first to benefit from the support and investment this project will bring.”
Head of School - Construction and Engineering , Trini Evans commented: “Hosting LTC and 60+ SME employers was a great pleasure. This event gave us an opportunity to network and start to create direct new relationships with smaller local employers to allow us to start partnerships for the future to support work experience, curriculum building and staff continuing professional development. We look forward to the next event.”
Natalie Bonnick, Head of Supply Chain Development, Skills, Education & Employment for the Lower Thames Crossing, added “With work on the Lower Thames Crossing starting this year, there are exciting opportunities for local businesses to get involved and win work on one of Britain’s most important economic projects. That can feel daunting, so these roadshows will support firms and guide them through the process to give them the best possible chance of success.”
The Lower Thames Crossing will deliver a new road and tunnel to ease congestion at the Dartford Crossing and drive long-term economic growth, creating a vital new transport link between the ports of the south-east, the Midlands and the north.
By hosting this first roadshow, South Essex Colleges Group has reinforced its commitment to connecting education with industry, ensuring students and local businesses are fully prepared to benefit from transformational regional investment.
Success stories
Success Story: Tommy Davis
Course studied
Creative Media Production (Television and Film Production) Level 3 Extended Diploma
SECG gave me the confidence and the skills to become a more intricate filmmaker, with detailed study of all three stages of production; planning, shooting, and editing.
Former South Essex Colleges Group (SECG) student, Tommy Davis, now a successful freelance director, is hoping to raise enough money to make a new TV series entitled Cash in Hand, based on the working class struggle in Essex, before pitching to major broadcast networks later this year.
Tommy, from Rayleigh studied the Level 3 Extended Diploma in TV and Film Production and achieved the Extended Diploma in 2015. He chose to study at SECG because he wanted to develop his passion for filmmaking and learn the craft in a professional environment with like-minded creative people.
He said: “Before coming to SECG I’d always had an obsession with cameras and making films, from shooting home videos as a kid to creating skateboarding films with my mates throughout my teens.
“SECG gave me the confidence and the skills to become a more intricate filmmaker, with detailed study of all three stages of production; planning, shooting, and editing. My time there built my confidence and gave me the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with others.
“The equipment at SECG was fantastic; from a full blackout TV broadcast studio for multicamera with live vision mixing, to using the studio as a professional film space with overhead lighting rigs.”
After completing his course Tommy went onto study at London South Bank University, and now works as a freelance film director specialising in music videos and branded content, working with artists, musicians, brands, and record labels around the world.
His job entails directing, producing, and overseeing all aspects of film production; from concept and shot listing to shooting and editing.
He said: “I progressed to my current position by building up my portfolio step-by-step, starting with small videos, then working with bigger artists and brands and continually developing my craft.”
Tommy said that his favourite memory of being at SECG was: “Knocking about with mates and sneaking into the big red auditorium on lunch breaks to watch music videos and Jackass”
He said that his greatest achievement has been: “Travelling the world directing, working with incredible artists such as Stormzy, high profile brands and being nominated for awards including the UK MVAs, the NME Awards, and the Young Arrows for Best New Director.
“My ambition is to get my television pilot Cash in Hand commissioned into a full series”.
A teaser video posted to social media has already gained more than 100,000 views and Tommy has launched a fundraiser to get it off the ground. The show will be set around “cash jobs, dodgy site managers, and everyday hustle, capturing the loyalty, banter, and chaos that defines life for many”.
You can support the project by donating here: https://igg.me/at/CASHINHAND/x/18239410#
Take a loook at our updated Film and Television Production course Creative Media Production (Television and Film Production) Level 3 Extended Diploma
