Newcastle College Energy Academy Staff and Students Invited to House of Lords to Celebrate College’s Contribution to Clean Energy
Students and staff from Newcastle College’s Energy Academy were invited to the House of Lords in December, to celebrate the launch of a landmark report into how further education colleges will contribute to the government’s five missions.
The report, developed by the Association of Colleges (AoC), highlights the groundbreaking and innovative work by colleges across the country on economic growth and productivity, net zero, community cohesion, access to education and training, and the NHS. It warns that without more investment, colleges will not be able to continue to meet the skills needs that are so vital to achieving the government’s missions.
Newcastle College is one of just ten colleges showcased in the report and the only North East college to feature. It is named a significant contributor to the government’s net zero mission to Make Britain a clean energy superpower to cut bills, create jobs and deliver security with cheaper, zero carbon electricity by 2030, accelerating to net zero.
The case study shows how Newcastle College delivers sector-leading training in green skills through its Energy Academy– vital to the renewable energy sector in the North East and beyond. Offering entry-level to Level 7 (degree level) qualifications, the Energy Academy partners with leading employers such as Equinor and Smulders to offer real-world experience and ensure training aligns with industry needs. Programmes cover wind, solar, and sustainable technologies, enabling learners to pursue careers in engineering, energy management, and other areas of discipline that contribute to the net zero agenda.
New Investment in Energy, Manufacturing and Engineering at Newcastle College
Newcastle College is continuing to prioritise investment into new equipment and facilities to ensure students are learning in industry standard spaces, utilising the Local Skills Improvement Fund and other grants to fund the transformation. Working closely with employers to source industry-standard and recommended equipment, the College has recently completed a programme of investment which will soon see a brand-new Advanced Manufacturing suite opened on campus.
At the Energy Academy, the College has brought students the latest STEM equipment to support them in their learning and prepare them to enter the workforce of the future. This includes:
- Solar photovoltaic systems
- Resources for sustainable building methods and retrofit
- An electric vehicle and new EV charge points
- A brand new wind turbine training nacelle
- An autonomous inspection robot to support inspection in confined/dangerous places
- Industrial drone to support inspection of wind turbine towers and blades at height
- Subsea inspection ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) to support inspection of subsea wind structures
The College’s Rutherford Building is the dedicated hub for Manufacturing Engineering students, who, since 2024, have been able to experience brand-new, state-of-the-art suites and equipment that mirror the real-world engineering environment. Updates include:
- A state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Suite
- A design suite with 3D printers
- An updated fabrication workshop with new equipment
- Updated electronic and electrical equipment including Three-Phase trainers
- Brand new manual lathes and mills
- Industry-standard physics equipment for mechanical science applications
This video gives a quick overview of the new manufacturing and engineering spaces for students: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1bcO3vIWTQ
Newcastle College Green Skills Schools Engagement Officer Wins Prestigious National Award
A passionate student and staff member from Newcastle College University Centre was recognised at the prestigious AOC Student of the Year Awards 2024 in November.
Daniel Smith, who works as a Green Skills Schools Engagement Officer alongside studying for his FdA in Energy Engineering, won the Student Green Commitment award at the ceremony in Birmingham. The award recognised Dan’s dedication to his degree studies, his passion for green skills, and the work he does to deliver green skills sessions to young people across the North East.
As a Green Skills Schools Engagement Officer, Dan speaks to young people in primary, middle and secondary schools across the region and develops new learning resources to engage them and support the school curriculum. Dan is also a STEM ambassador and works closely with regional organisers to ensure that STEM activities are attended and supported. He has represented the College and its Green Growth Skills Project at regional conferences and contributed significantly to the region’s Green Growth Foresighting Project with regional partners and the North East Combined Authority.
T Level Placement Opportunities
From September 2025, Newcastle College’s Energy Academy will be running a T-Level in Fabrication and Welding Technologies (T Level – Fabrication and Welding Technologies (Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control) – Level 3 | Newcastle College)
Students must complete 45 days of industry placement to achieve their qualification, only 21 days of which must be complete out on site with practical activities. The practical activities can consist of anything within the engineering and manufacturing industry, and do not have to be specifically linked to welding or F=fabrication. There are massive benefits to hosting T-Level placements, and it is a great way to train up your future apprentices and expand your workforce!
If you would be interested in having a discussion about what hosting a T-Level could look like for you – please reach out by emailing Katie.Preston@ncl-coll.ac.uk