Newcastle College Puts Students in Prime Position for Energy Jobs

Based off the region’s coast in the North Sea, Dogger Bank Wind Farm will generate enough to power 4.5 million homes and will create 200 jobs with the opening of its base at Port of Tyne.

Last year, the College launched a brand new Level 3 programme in partnership with Port of Blyth and Port Training Services (PTS) and with input from local energy and offshore employers, designed to offer a direct pathway into the region’s energy sector. It has been tailored to meet the skills requirements of energy employers and prepares students for careers as subsea engineers and wind turbine technicians.

Now, students enrolling onto the Subsea and Renewable Energy Technologies course will qualify in time for the base opening.

Andrew Esson, Director of Industrial Strategy at Newcastle College said: “The North East has long been a hub for the UK’s offshore industry and it is a sector which will only continue to grow, even during economic uncertainty.

“The arrival of Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s base arriving in the region couldn’t come at a better time. The jobs that it creates will require the right skills and Newcastle College is in a unique position to provide that skills training.”

Newcastle College has been at the forefront of training for the region’s energy sector since it opened its award-winning Energy Academy in 2012. Home to the world’s most advanced Immersive Hybrid Reality (iHR) offshore wind training facility, it trains the next generation of offshore and subsea industry engineers, offering courses and apprenticeships from Level 3 up to foundation degree level, as well as bespoke training for local employers.

In collaboration with Port of Blyth and PTS it ensures that the training on offer is right for the industry, as well as the students enrolling. The partnership was formed to develop new training routes, but it also allows students on any of the College’s energy focused courses the unique opportunity to benefit from the training facilities at both the Academy and the Port.

“2019’s Wind Sector Deal seen the government announce a forecast of 17,000 new energy sector jobs by 2030,” continues Andrew. “Many of those have been earmarked for the North East and Dogger Bank is just the beginning because there remains so much scope to grow the sector.”

“Newcastle College’s aim is to ensure that we train work-ready engineers with the right skills and experience to fill those jobs and create demand for more.

“Our partnerships and our facilities allow us to identify skills shortages in the sector so that we can shape the training that we offer to ensure it meets the needs of industry and puts our students in the best position possible.  We are developing courses that offer young people in our region real career opportunities and it’s exciting to see those opportunities emerging.”