About us
Our Story
SEATS was established in 2023 by local authorities and businesses united by a shared mission: to address current and future skills gaps in and around Essex. Led by businesses for businesses, we are a not-for-profit organisation funded by Thames Freeport, operating across Essex and the London Boroughs of Havering and Barking & Dagenham.
Since Mid 2024, when our dedicated team was appointed, we grew to become committed to bridging the gap between education providers and industry needs, for a wide range of training plus apprenticeships.
Our values
- Employer led
- Quality Localised Provision
- Innovative
- Inclusive
- Sustainable
- Collaborative
- Ethical
Who provides our training services?
We carefully select the most appropriate providers, collaborating with colleges, universities and private training companies to ensure the training delivered aligns with the requirements of local industries. Our goal is to equip businesses with a skilled workforce while fostering professional development for employees. If you are a provider who is interested in working with us, please check out our Partners page
The SEATS experience:
A few images of the team, out and about...
News and Updates
Transforming Post-16 Education: New Pathways for Every Young Person
The government is introducing major reforms to post-16 education, ensuring that every young person can gain the skills and knowledge they need to secure a good job, progress to university,
Changes Ahead for Post-16 Education and Skills – What Employers Need to Know
The Government’s new Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper (October 2025) sets out some of the biggest changes in years to how education, training and employment support will work for
SEATS exceeds every target in 2024/25
SEATS exceeds every target in 2024/25 — delivering record impact across Essex and East Anglia At SEATS, we believe that when employers lead, everyone benefits. Over the past year, that