Award Nomination:
To address the skills gap in the rapidly growing maritime and clean energy sectors, the Port of Blyth was instrumental in the creation of Energy Central Campus (ECC), together with the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and Northumberland Council. ECC is focused on creating the pipeline of talent required for the expanding clean energy sector, at the same time, inspiring, training and delivering pathways to employment for the local community. Located in the heart of one of the UK’s largest clean energy clusters, the Port of Blyth, ECC is bringing together leading organisations in the clean energy sector and key training and education providers across the Northeast of England, developing high quality, credible and relevant training programmes.
Additional Information:
Port Chief Executive, Martin Lawlor, is the first Chair of ECC a transformational, business-led, two-phase skills, education and innovation development project supporting growth in the clean energy and maritime sectors in the North East of England. The partnership is bringing together expertise in educational strategy, research, innovation, and the operational requirements of the clean energy sector to deliver a learning factory that will equip young people and adults with the skills needed to take up careers in the clean energy sector and enable businesses to grow through access to a skilled workforce.
The current clean energy cluster expects a future skills shortage and has voiced concerns that candidates do not have the right skills for roles within the clean energy sector. Therefore, it is essential that we help meet the needs of the future clean energy sector which saw 72,000 jobs in offshore wind alone in 2023.
The first phase, Energy Central Learning Hub (ECLH) is already under construction and set to open in September 2024. ECLH is a new £15 million STEM education and vocational training facility, developing energy sector skills and aspirations among young people at school and college, and adults re-training for new roles.
Based at the Port of Blyth, learners will develop skills in a real-world clean energy port setting. Set to open in 2024, facilities will include specialist electrical and mechanical workshops, classrooms, major regional STEM hub, digital skills training facilities, an immersive Clean Energy Visitor Centre and conferencing and events space for up to 250 people.
The hub has already secured three core tenants including Bede Academy, Northumberland Skills and Port Training Services who will offer courses to young people and professionals within the energy industry.
The Energy Central Learning Hub will work with schools, to provide STEM engagement to inspire students from a young age and make them aware of educational and employment opportunities right here on their doorstep.
A further phase, Energy Central Institute (ECI) is set to be developed which will be a new higher-level skills and innovation facility, developing energy sector expertise at degree and PhD levels. Creating a focal point for collaboration between energy businesses, ORE Catapult, and Northeast universities, it will develop higher-level skills and technological innovations to keep the region at the forefront of energy sector growth. Facilities will include state-of-the-art research labs and lecture theatre.
The completion of the campus will ensure that local schools and residents have the skills to capitalise on the growth of the clean energy sector within a highly visible and easily accessible hub for learners and businesses alike, bringing employment pathways to the local community.
Receiving this award would provide valuable recognition for our accomplishments, especially for the Energy Central Campus, which aims to set a standard for future projects across the UK.
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Current Picture of construction.
Energy Central Learning Hub Render.
Martin Lawlor, CEO – Port of Blyth