Renewable energy courses see uplift at Newcastle College

More than 175 students have enrolled on Newcastle College’s renewable energy courses since 2018.

The uplift is the latest in a line of green energy-focused announcements from the College.

According to Newcastle College, the wider strategy is to “help build a climate-conscious workforce through the education and skilling of young people to help the UK fulfil the ambitious target of two million green jobs by 2030.”

Alongside this, Newcastle College’s director of industrial strategy, Andrew Esson has recently been appointed as the Energi Coast Skills Group lead.

The Energi Coast Skills Group is a collaborative programme between local North East universities, including Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland, Northumbria and Teesside; as well as institutions such as the STEM Ambassador Hub, North East Ambition and Engineering UK.

Andrew said: “I have spent my career working in and around the energy industry but my work with Newcastle College’s Energy Academy over the past four years has taken me firmly into the offshore wind and green energy sector and reignited my passion for skills and development.

“I am delighted to take on the role of Chair of the Energi Coast Skills Group and I hope to use the opportunity to not only help make the North East the UK’s leading skills centre for Offshore Renewable and Green Energy, but to show young people across the region how they can make a difference to a complex, global issue.

“Driving the green agenda in the North East is a key component of Newcastle College’s 10-year Strategy, and collaborations like this can help provide future generations with the skills and knowledge needed to make changes, make a difference and a better future.”