News & Media
14th February 2025
Port of Tyne and Southbay Civil Engineering Limited partner to inspire female students to take up careers in STEM.
The Port of Tyne, in partnership with Southbay Civil Engineering, welcomed female students from Benfield School, Newcastle, for an exclusive tour of the Port and Tyne Dock Enterprise Park. The visit aimed to inspire young women to pursue careers in STEM, highlighting the Port’s commitment to diversity and innovation through initiatives like the 2050 Maritime Innovation Hub. By showcasing the maritime and construction sectors, the event encouraged students to explore future leadership roles in these industries while emphasizing the importance of a diverse and skilled workforce.
The Port of Tyne has welcomed a group of female students from Benfield School in Newcastle as they aim to encourage more women to pursue careers in STEM.
In partnership with Southbay Civil Engineering Limited, the pupils had an exclusive tour of the Port and its activities at the Tyne Dock Enterprise Park.
This initiative underscores the Port of Tyne’s commitment to diversity, innovation, and inspiring the next generation of female leaders in science and technology.
The Port is home to the UK’s 2050 Maritime Innovation Hub, which supports the development of green solutions and accelerates technological advancements through R&D projects, open innovation programmes, and accelerators. It fosters collaboration between industry leaders, SMEs, researchers, and government agencies.
The Hub plays a vital role in workforce development, supporting skills and initiatives to prepare for the future demands of the sector.
Ashley Nicholson, Chief Business Officer at the Port of Tyne, says, “At the Port of Tyne, we are committed to inspiring the next generation of talent. Innovation and technology drive everything we do, as the maritime industry continues to evolve. By welcoming these students, we hope to spark their curiosity and encourage them to see themselves as future leaders in this sector.”
Southbay supports innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions. Managing Director of Southbay Civil Engineering Limited, Paul Stephenson, welcomed the school visit, “We’re delighted to be able to provide the students with the opportunity to visit a live construction site, whilst allowing them to appreciate the scale of a vital regional infrastructure facility as the Port of Tyne. As a company, we are committed to employing a diverse workforce and hope that such visits will encourage more girls to explore career opportunities within the STEM Sector. We look forward to continuing to showcase the civil engineering industry by involving local communities within the projects we deliver.”
The Headteacher at Benfield School, Anthony Martin was grateful to the Port of Tyne and Southbay for providing students with the opportunity; "At Benfield School, we are passionate and work tirelessly to provide girls who are thinking of a career within the STEM sector with opportunities to meet employers and experience workplace settings. We have such a rich engineering history in the North East, and events such as this will only help develop and nurture the next generation of local engineers."
The visit forms part of the Port of Tyne and Southbay’s broader commitment to community engagement, diversity, and driving innovation in the maritime and construction sectors. As these industries continue to evolve, both of our organisations are working to ensure women feel inspired and are equipped to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields.
