Construction officially begins at site for Blyth energy learning hub

Work has officially begun on a brand-new green energy learning hub in Blyth, which will deliver STEM education and sector-related learning in specialist training facilities once built.

The £13.6 million facility, which is named Energy Central Learning Hub, is part of Energy Central Campus’ mission to lead the UK’s clean energy revolution from the North East.

It is also part of a £90 million programme named Energising Blyth Programme, which is funded by the UK Government, alongside Northumberland County Council and North of Tyne Combined Authority. The programme aims to renew and connect the town.

Local authorities, industry partners and education institutions attended a special ceremony held on Wednesday, July 5 to celebrate construction officially beginning on the site.

Those in attendance including Councillor Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council, Mayor of North of Tyne Combined Authority, Jamie Driscoll, and CEO at Port of Blyth and Chair of the Energy Central Campus, Martin Lawlor, who were the first people to put spades into the ground as an official way to mark the occasion.

Once built, the development will help local people to gain the skills they need to land a job within the clean energy sector. Students from Bede Academy also attended the ceremony, as they will be the first cohort to study T-levels within the Energy Central Learning Hub from September 2024.

Read Newcastle’s news on the go with our free email newsletters - bringing the headlines to your inbox. Catch up on the day’s news and sport and enjoy even more from the NewcastleWorld team. Visit our website here to find out more and sign up.

Speaking on behalf of Energy Central Campus, Martin Lawlor, said: “We are absolutely delighted that spades are now in the ground and construction can begin.

“Blyth has a proud heritage in the energy sector and is a fitting location to house a ‘clean energy’ skills, education and training facility and we can’t wait to get started on the build.

“Having Bede Academy onboard is fantastic and the first step in offering world-class training and education for Blyth residents and for the whole of Northumberland and the North of Tyne Combined Authority.”

Councillor Glen Sanderson, said: “Today marks an incredibly exciting time for Blyth. The Energy Central Learning Hub will be a fantastic skills and training centre for people of all ages and abilities to learn STEM subjects and vocational courses with the help of local employers and schools.

“This will help put young people on a pathway to working in the clean energy sector or help people retrain and upskill to move into the rapidly growing industry.”

Jamie Driscoll, commented: “What an incredible milestone. Residents of Blyth and further afield should be very proud of this development. It will be an epicentre of learning and will make a huge difference to the town.

“Blyth is quickly becoming a clean energy revolution leader and we expect a lot of people, businesses and educational providers, to be interested in Energy Central Learning Hub and the next phase of the build, the Energy Central Institute.”

The site of the Energy Central Learning Hub is located at the north entrance to the South Harbour of the Port of Blyth.