Port of Tyne Gradsprint Event

Posted on 28 April 2025

Friday, 16th May 2025
venue: 2050 Innovation Hub, Port of Tyne, South Shields

The Port of Tyne would like to invite newly employed graduates to Gradsprint – an inaugural event we are running for early graduates of all sectors currently employed in the region. This is in partnership with the North East Combined Authority (NECA) as part of our aim to highlight the region as a great place for innovation and graduates.

GradSprint is a one-day event bringing together up to ten mixed teams of around eight graduates from different organisations. So, we are hoping to have around 60-80 participants on the day. So far, we have 40+ graduates from our partner organisations such as Nissan, Northumbrian Water and Accenture signed up to join us on the day. Henry Kippin, CEO of NECA, and other regional leaders will also be attending as mentors and speakers.  It will be a great opportunity for all the graduates to get to know them and other like-minded early career individuals.

  The purpose of GradSprint is to:

• Gather fresh ideas from graduates on the north east’s strategy and plans. 
• Help graduates connect with peers across different programmes and employers, develop collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Spotlight the northeast as a place for innovative graduate programmes and skills development. 

We plan to make GradSprint an annual event and involve regional and national media, alongside social media activity.

Mayoral Manifesto

All teams will work on a single theme from the Mayoral Manifesto: North East England: Home of Opportunity. Teams will select which one of these topics from the Manifesto they’d like to focus on:

• An economy that works for all
• Green transport that works for all
• Future skills and training for all
• Good quality, green homes
• Stronger neighbourhoods

We will circulate a short pre-work pack for graduates with links to key items such as the Manifesto, regional stats and documents, whilst also giving the graduate participants scope to do their own research on the day. 

Format  - On the Day 

• The day will run from 9.30am to 4.30pm in the Innovation Hub at Port of Tyne.
• We will start with a welcome session and group introductions. 
• Senior leaders from North East businesses will give short lightning talks to inspire the teams. 
• The facilitated morning sprint will help each team shape and refine an idea linked to their chosen theme. 
• After lunch, teams will work on refining their ideas and creating pitches before presenting to a VIP judging panel. 
• The top three teams will receive donations for local charities of their choice, and individual certificates.
• Lunch and refreshments will be provided for all throughout the day.  

We are hoping to have all graduate attendances and their dietary preferences confirmed by Wednesday 30^th April, if possible. 

Full details and link to register here