£15m state-of-the-art learning hub in Blyth welcomes first ever students
A flagship development in Blyth has welcomed its first-ever students who could be the next generation of clean energy engineers.
The Energy Central Learning Hub is a brand new science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education and vocational training facility at the port of Blyth. The facility provides a range of state-of-the-art industrial training, education, and STEM related skills facilities.
It is the first phase of the Energy Central Campus, which will give local people the skills and knowledge they need to find well-paid employment in south east Northumberland's blossoming clean energy sector. The second phase of the campus - the Energy Central Institute - will open at the end of 2026 and be focused on higher-level skills.
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Coun Guy Renner Thompson, Northumberland County Council's cabinet member for education, welcomed the news.
He said: "This pioneering facility is set to be transformational for young people providing a direct route to high-quality jobs here in Northumberland. It’s exciting to welcome our first students as they start this exciting next step in their careers.”
There had been hopes that the campus would prepare young people in the south east of the county to work in the planned Britishvolt gigafactory, which would have employed thousands of people to make electric car batteries. However, the project was abandoned when the company collapsed into administration.
Instead, US investment firm Blackstone is bankrolling the building of an datacentre campus on the site by its data subsidiary QTS. While not expected to create the same number of jobs as the gigafactory, Coun Renner Thompson explained that a £110 million investment fund would be used to invest in further jobs.
He said: "The thing with the Blackstone site is although the number of jobs is still a lot, it's not as many as Britishvolt were going to bring. The investment fund is going to be used for all sorts of prime investments.
"One of the sectors that we want to go into is the clean energy sector. This fund the council has got will be investing in clean energy and manufacturing in the south east.
"We want to make sure these kids learning their trade will have even more jobs to go into."
The Blackstone site is expected to deliver 400 on-site jobs, while the Britishvolt gigafactory would have brought around 3,000.
Among the first students at the Energy Central Hub is Sarah Turner, who developed a passion for engineering through competing in motorcycle trials across the UK. Sarah is studying for an EAL Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with Northumberland Skills.
Sarah said: “I love working with engines and knew I wanted to have a career in engineering. I applied for this course because I want to work in renewable energy engineering as it’s going to be the future.
“I am enjoying the course so far and how it’s very practical from day one. I also think that being in Port of Blyth is going to offer lots of opportunities.”
Also studying in the course is Finn Brett. He added: “I applied for the course as I think this sector is going to be really big for the future with lots of jobs. I hope it will help me to get a good apprenticeship.”
The Energy Central Learning Hub is set to open to the public later this year, in line with the launch of an onsite visitor centre. This will not only keep the community informed, but will also act as an "immersive learning resource" to educate and inspire young people.
Martin Lawlor OBE, the chief executive of the Port of Blyth and the chairman of the Energy Central Campus, said: "We are delighted to welcome students to the ECLH and cannot wait to see our vision to develop the next generation of clean energy sector workers come to life.
“Our fantastic educational partners, with their vast knowledge and expertise of both education and industry, will play a crucial role in preparing our students with the necessary skills and knowledge for successful careers in the clean energy sector.”