Education Secretary opens energy skills centre

A Northumberland-based skills centre is set to boost training for the UK’s offshore wind industry.

The Energy Central Learning Hub, a £15 million four-storey facility, has been officially opened, in Blyth, by the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson MP. 

It is the first centre of its kind in the country, offering sector-specific training for school leavers and those retraining from industries like oil and gas.

Ms Phillipson said: “Skills will power this mission-driven Government and our Plan for Change, as we train up the next generation of highly skilled workers to make Britain a clean energy superpower and drive economic growth.

“With our transformative reforms to the apprenticeship system, we are breaking down barriers to opportunity so that young people from the North East and beyond can enter this exciting industry and work in the jobs of the future. 

“Initiatives like the Energy Central Learning Hub are central to that work.”

Owned by Energy Central Campus – a partnership between the Port of Blyth, Northumberland County Council and ORE Catapult – the hub, which is one of the “flagship” projects of the £95 million Energising Blyth regeneration programme, aims to develop a skilled workforce for the clean energy sector. 

Featuring a visitors’ centre with views of the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Wind Farm, the hub also provides an immersive experience for school children and the public wanting to learn more about offshore wind the net-zero ambitions.

Martin Lawlor, chair of Energy Central, added: “We are delighted to be officially opening our flagship Energy Central Learning Hub, which is already providing opportunities to the local community and regional employers. 

“It is also immensely satisfying to see the high profile that Energy Central Campus has created, delivering a unique offering that could act as a template for similar initiatives around the UK.”

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