Blog post: PSS visit to Port of Blyth

In November, PSS Skills Lead, Angela Ward, visited Port of Blyth and Port Training Services for a tour of the new STEM centre and to hear more about Blyth’s work to support the offshore wind farm.

Angela was met by Paul Parry, Head of Training at Port Training Services, for a tour of the port. She was taken to see the Wind Turbine Training Facility and met two groups of adults working towards their certification for new careers in offshore wind. Paul explained that the courses were fully-funded skills bootcamps to help local unemployed adults upskill and fill jobs that were ready and waiting for them.

Port of Blyth CEO, Martin Lawlor, gave a tour of the new Energy Central Learning Hub and talked through his vision of it from the planning stage to its opening. The impressive centre will support the local community by providing STEM visits and activities, connecting schools with training, employers and ultimately career opportunities.

Angela was introduced to two of the partners working in the centre and heard how the engineering T Levels delivered there are already supporting 80 young people since the doors opened in September 2024.

Discussions continued over lunch and an update was provided on the PSS is delighted that the port will be hosting a Port Skills Group meeting in May 2025 at the new centre and looks forward to using the new conference room and immersive room once they’re fully completed.

We extend our thanks to the Port of Blyth team for their hospitality and for providing an overview of the port, the new centre but also the much wider work within the community with its partners.
Getting out and meeting members and highlighting the important work they do, is a vital part of PSS’s work. To organise a tour of your port, please get in touch.