Plans approved for £8.5 million energy training hub

A North East education provider is set to expand its training capacity to support the region’s growing demand for green skills and engineering talent.

Newcastle College has secured approval for an £8.5 million expansion of its Energy Academy in Wallsend, creating a new purpose-built education and workshop facility.

The development, located next to the existing site on Hadrian Road, forms part of wider plans to establish an enhanced Energy Campus. 

It is expected to significantly increase capacity, with student numbers projected to triple over the next five years.

The expansion comes as demand for skilled workers rises, with thousands of new roles anticipated in offshore renewable energy and engineering along the River Tyne over the next decade.

Designed in collaboration with industry partners, the new facility will deliver specialist training aligned to offshore wind and low-carbon technologies. 

Newcastle College will also become the only provider in the UK offering green skills training from entry level through to postgraduate study.

Work is set to begin shortly, supported by funding from the North East Combined Authority and partnerships with organisations including Shepherd Offshore and North Tyneside Council.

Artist's impression of new Newcastle College Energy Academy building

Jon Ridley, principal of Newcastle College, said: “This is a major step forward in our plans to expand the Energy Academy and build on the strong foundations we’ve established in supporting the North East’s growing energy sector.

“The approval of these plans allows us to scale up our impact, strengthen our collaboration with industry, and support even more people into high-quality careers in engineering and renewable energy.

“This investment will play a key role in ensuring the North East has the skilled workforce needed to meet the demands of a fast-growing sector, and we are leading that work from our Wallsend site.”

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