Energy Central Campus

Energy Central Campus is made up of two education, training and skills facilities focusing on STEM education, sector-led training, higher level skills, innovation, research and development to further support growth in the clean energy sector in Blyth and the wider North East.

The campus will equip young people and adults with the skills needed to take up careers in the sector, enable local companies to grow through access to a skilled workforce and support them to adopt the latest innovations in clean growth technology. It will demonstrate to businesses and potential investors that Blyth is ready to meet their growth needs.

The Energy Central Campus project is part of the Energising Blyth programme. Phase one, the Energy Central Learning Hub at South Harbour, Port of Blyth features a range of state-of-the-art industrial training, education and STEM-related skills facilities.

Phase two, The Energy Central Institute to be located in the town centre is yet to be submitted for planning approval but the proposed project will focus on higher level skills, research and innovation in support of clean energy sector growth.

This flagship facility will further strengthen the area’s leading role in driving the clean energy revolution.

The Energy Central Learning Hub will provide a range of state-of-the-art industrial training, education and STEM-related skills facilities, with construction set to start in October 2022 at Port of Blyth and due to be completed in winter 2023. The new 2,396sqm Hub will include major conferencing capabilities, events space, and a lecture theatre to encourage collaboration between employers, education institutions and research facilities.

Concept art of the energy central hub in Blyth



Construction is underway at Port of Blyth and due to be completed in Autumn 2024. July 2023 marked the official breaking ground of the facility.

The project is being delivered by Advance Northumberland with appointed contractors Galliford Try on behalf of Northumberland County Council and the Energy Central Partnership.

It is funded by HM Government’s Towns Fund, North of Tyne Combined Authority and Northumberland County Council.



New flagship learning facility announces Northumberland Skills as second educational partner

Blyth-based Energy Central Learning Hub has welcomed a new educational partner, Northumberland Skills, to deliver training in the advanced manufacturing and energy sectors.

Northumberland Skills, Northumberland County Council’s post-16 education provider, will house its latest campus at the new training and skills facility located at the Port of Blyth.

Enrolment is currently open for its advanced manufacturing and renewable energy qualifications which will be delivered from September to school leavers and those looking to retrain at the new facility.

Northumberland Skills’ training will complement the existing learning offering from Bede Academy, which was announced as a partner last year. Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, cabinet member with responsibility for Inspiring Young People, at Northumberland County Council said: “This is an incredible opportunity for people across Northumberland, and beyond, to seize the opportunity to follow a career in clean energy and engineering.

If you are interested in finding out more and enrolling for September 2024, visit www.northumberlandskills.co.uk/energy

A group of people standing in front of construction site for the new Energy central hub

Bede Academy announced as educational partner for Blyth's new learning facility 

Bede Academy has been named as the first educational partner at Blyth’s new Energy Central Learning Hub. 
 
The partnership brings industry led T Levels to the town for the first time and will set students on the pathway to the latest skilled careers in the technology and engineering sectors. 

There are two Engineering T Levels to choose from, as well as a Digital T Level that have 
been developed in collaboration with employers and education providers. The new two-year courses will begin in September 2023, with the first cohort of students studying at the academy during their first year, and moving to the new facility when it opens in 2024.