Boost Your Team and Your Career with Free Microsoft-Certified Digital Skills Training

Businesses and residents across Tees Valley can upskill in crucial digital skills free of charge this summer.

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Free Microsoft-certified training in the Tees Valley

Baltic Apprenticeships are excited to announce a programme of free, Microsoft-certified digital skills training for the Tees Valley area this summer.

With the demand for digital skills greater than ever, we are offering employers, employees and residents the opportunity to advance their business and their career by upskilling in digital, cloud, data and security free of charge.

With four fully funded courses to choose from, our programme aims to support innovation across the region and address a critical skills shortage – preparing the region’s workforce for the digital revolution.

Because these courses are fully funded, there is no cost to either the employer or the learner – the only requirements are that those taking part are aged 19 and over and have a Tees Valley postcode.

Our summer programme currently looks like:

Monday, 9th June 2025:

This course introduces learners to the key features and benefits of Microsoft 365 services. It includes cloud concepts, core Microsoft 365 services, pricing models, and compliance with security standards.

Monday, 30th June 2025:

This course provides a foundational understanding of cloud services and how they are delivered with Microsoft Azure. It covers core Azure concepts, services, pricing, and security to help beginners prepare for cloud-based solutions.

Wednesday, 2nd July 2025:

This course introduces learners to the key features and benefits of Microsoft 365 services. It includes cloud concepts, core Microsoft 365 services, pricing models, and compliance with security standards.

Monday, 7th July 2025:

SC-900 teaches the basics of security,
compliance, and identity (SCI) solutions within Microsoft cloud services. It includes an overview of key concepts in security and compliance across Azure and Microsoft 365.

Wednesday, 16th July 2025:

DP-900 focuses on fundamental concepts of data management, both in the cloud and on-premises, with Microsoft Azure. It covers relational, non-relational, and big data solutions, as well as modern data analytics workloads.
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Upskilling local people and businesses

The courses are designed to provide minimal disruption to business operations, delivered online over the course of two days, followed by an official exam – completion of which will earn participants an official Microsoft certification. The training is delivered live, so participants will be able to ask questions, receive feedback and pick the brains of our expert coaches in an accessible and supportive learning environment.

This is a unique opportunity for businesses to develop their workforce, increase retention and boost morale by offering professional growth – and for people across the region to progress their skills and their career by earning industry-recognised certifications.

The flexibility of the courses means employees can gain valuable, job-relevant skills without stepping away from their day-to-day responsibilities for long – making it easy for businesses to invest in their people and for individuals to build towards promotion.

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Skills employers are looking for

Because the courses are designed to match the roles actively recruited in the market, they offer people out of work or between job roles an opportunity to improve their skills in a way that is aligned with employer demand. And because we’re also experts at matching the right people to the right roles, we can help you take the next step on your employment journey.

For many, this could be an apprenticeship, taking everything you’ve learned on our short course as a starting point in a new digital career. Our in-house recruitment team specialises in sourcing and placing apprentices into the right job role, ensuring a successful placement for both apprentice and employer.

If you feel like an apprenticeship isn’t the right step for you, though, we can still assist. Baltic is partnered with specialist recruitment agencies, and we proactively connect our learners to local job opportunities through our network.