Middlesbrough College: TTE Centre Official Opening

As one of the largest colleges in the North East of England, Middlesbrough College has built a reputation for delivering industry-focused education that supports both students and regional employers. Home to more than 15,000 students and a £120m campus, the College combines vocational training with cutting-edge facilities designed to prepare the next generation of skilled professionals.

The Brief

Middlesbrough College, a long-standing Cool Blue client, entrusted us to lead the public relations campaign for the official launch of its £12m TTE Centre – a cutting-edge technical training facility set to shape the future workforce of the engineering and process industries.

The brief was clear: deliver a high-impact launch event that would secure positive regional and trade media coverage and firmly position Middlesbrough College as a driving force behind skills development and economic growth in the region.

Our Approach

We devised a comprehensive PR strategy centred around the high-profile opening ceremony, which was attended by broadcaster and Teesside native Steph McGovern, alongside regional business leaders, students and local authority figures.

Our team coordinated all media relations, drafting and distributing press materials, managing interview opportunities and overseeing event-day photography and videography. We ensured media attendance from regional and sector-specific press titles and briefed key spokespeople ahead of interviews.

The messaging highlighted the centre’s role in strengthening Teesside’s economy, creating career opportunities for young people and supporting local industries through hands-on, industry-standard training.

The Results

The campaign delivered strong results, making a real impact across the region and beyond. It secured widespread media coverage across prominent regional outlets including The Northern Echo, Tees Business and The Gazette, alongside leading trade titles such as Machinery Market and Engineering Subcontractor, resulting in over 15 pieces of coverage across print, online and broadcast.

Online coverage achieved an average Domain Authority (DA) of 54, outperforming the national average of 40 (according to Moz) and strengthening the college’s SEO performance. Collectively, the campaign helped position Middlesbrough College as a national leader in technical training, enhancing its reputation as a key driver of regional skills development and a trusted industry partner.

Sophie Cass, Head of Marketing at Middlesbrough College, said:

“The opening of the TTE Centre was a landmark moment for Middlesbrough College and the wider region. Cool Blue’s expertise helped us turn this milestone into a major media moment, securing fantastic coverage and shining a spotlight on the centre’s vital role in shaping the future workforce.

“Their support was instrumental in amplifying our message and celebrating the opportunities this facility brings to young people and local industries.”