Redcar and Cleveland College unveils plans for Clean Energy Education Hub

A college has unveiled plans for a £3.2 million base to train the energy workers of tomorrow.

Redcar and Cleveland College is building the Clean Energy Education Hub.

Bosses say it will help give local people “the best possible chance of directly benefiting from the jobs being created on our doorstep”.

Specialising in clean energy and renewable industry training for domestic and industrial markets, it will deliver training to school leavers, apprentices and adult learners, and respond to business needs through employer-led programmes.

Construction is expected to begin in May.

Jason Faulkner, the college’s principal, said: “These are exciting times for our region.

“The Tees Valley is at the forefront of developments in the clean and renewable energy sector.

“Now we want to make sure the people who live here have the skills, knowledge and expertise to have the best possible chance of directly benefiting from the jobs being created on our doorstep.”

The hub has been further boosted by a donation from energy firm BP, which it says will support the base’s development and community engagement programmes.

Louise Kingham, BP’s UK head of country and senior vice president of Europe, said: “The hub will help equip young people with skills they need to develop careers in a range of industries that will lead the energy transition.

“Supporting the programme through our partnership with Redcar and Cleveland College is another sign of our commitment to the local economy and community.

“With its tightly-clustered heavy industry and proud industrial heritage, Teesside is the perfect place to showcase net-zero and the talent we will need to get us there.”

Welcoming the plans, Councillor Mary Lanigan, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, said: “There is a huge opportunity for this area to be at the centre of the green energy industry in the future.

“The development of Teesworks brings the promise of thousands of high-quality and well-paid jobs and it is vital our residents are well prepared to take these opportunities.

“The Clean Energy Education Hub will mean young people can receive the kind of training which will thoroughly prepare them to move into work.”

Neil O’Brien, Minister for Levelling Up, added: “This will play a crucial role supporting Tees Valley’s wider green economy, which boasts one of the country’s first freeports, leading the charge in the low-carbon sector.”

The hub has been funded by a £2.41 million capital injection from the Government’s Town Deal Fund, with additional investment from the Education Training Collective.

Further financial support has come from the Skills Development Fund.