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