Experts in Subsea and Renewables Education

New Energy Campus

Newcastle College's specialist renewable, subsea and offshore engineering facilities are situated in the heart of the energy industry at our Energy Academy in Wallsend. These world-class facilities support hundreds of students every year to become skilled engineers and works alongside partners to develop specialist training that addresses skills gaps in the region's fastest growing industry,

The Energy Academy was established in 2012 to enable Newcastle College to work in partnership with industry and develop specialist qualifications (including Higher Technical Qualifications) tailored to the needs of businesses operating in the offshore, subsea, renewables and wider energy supply chain sectors.

Over the past decade, the Energy Academy has gone from strength to strength and in 2025, it reaches a significant milestone, marked by major investment to create an Energy Campus - new space, facilities and equipment that will support the North East to become the home of the green energy revolution.

Next Event

February Open Event

Rye Hill Campus Wednesday 4th February 2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm Find out more

4,500

Jobs forecast in Tyne offshore energy over 10 years

£8.48m

Investment for a new Newcastle College Energy Campus

24,000+

North East offshore energy jobs expected by 2035

Newcastle College Energy Academy Expansion Approved

Investment into a new Energy Campus

An £8.48m investment for the expansion of Newcastle College's Energy Academy has been approved by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and the North East Combined Authority Cabinet, in a move which will help thousands of young people to get the skills needed to find jobs and careers in the region’s fast growing green energy sector.

Timeline

From our initial award in June 2025, to a fully operational site delivering a full range of qualifications from V Levels and T Levels to Higher Technical Qualifications, this exciting programme is being developed with the needs of our industry partners and the business community at its heart.

The main milestones for the development:

Announcement of investment June 2025
Start of building works February 2026
Completion of building August 2026
Start of internal works September 2026
Completion of project August 2027
Campus opens September 2027

Development Plan

Artists impression of the new Energy Campus.

Energy Academy

Newcastle College's award-winning Energy Academy is situated on the banks of the River Tyne in Wallsend, in the heart of the region's energy sector.

The Academy is recognised as a leading training provider in the North East and built to train students for a career in the renewable and offshore sector, it prepares students for one of the fastest growing industries in the North East. It provides unique opportunities to gain practical, hands-on experience in world-class facilities, along with the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in their future career.

Facilities

A world-leading Immersive Hybrid Reality (iHR) training system
MMA, MIG and TIG welding bays
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software
Plasma cutting and engineering workshops
Wind turbine testing
Solar panel testing
Solar photovoltaic systems
Autonomous inspection robot
Industrial drone
Subsea inspection ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle)

Jon Ridley

Principal

Catherine Orridge

Assistant Principal

7 July 2025

Newcastle College - An Engine of Growth. Principal Jon Ridley Speaks to North East Business iQ

In the face of economic challenges, Newcastle College is proving to be a driving force for regional growth and opportunity. Principal Jon Ridley spoke to North East Business iQ recently about the role that Newcastle College plays in supporting growth and economic prosperity across the North East.

10 June 2025

£8.5 Million Investment Secured for Newcastle College Energy Academy Expansion

11 December 2024

Newcastle College Students Invited to House of Lords to Celebrate College's Contribution to Clean Energy

Students and staff from Newcastle College were invited to the House of Lords to celebrate the launch of a landmark report that showcases how Newcastle College contributes to the government's net zero mission.