I’m a Lecturer in Renewable Energy, delivering across the Energy Engineering courses, particularly on the Foundation Degree.

I’ve been in the role full-time for the past two years, after initially starting on agency contracts before moving into a permanent position.

I actually studied here myself before becoming a lecturer.

I started as a student in 2020, then began teaching on a part-time basis while completing my degree. After graduating, I moved into a full-time role.

Alongside that, I’ve also set up my own business, so I’m still connected to industry as well.

It wasn’t something I originally planned to go into.

But during my degree, I found a passion for it - not necessarily teaching itself, but helping young people in the region develop and succeed.

A lot of students come in without strong maths skills, and seeing them progress all the way through to completing a degree in engineering - which is heavily maths-based - is something I find really rewarding.

The facilities and the environment we’ve got here.

We’ve got access to industry-standard equipment like wind turbine simulators and drones, so if something changes - like a lesson plan - we can go straight into the workshop and do something practical.

But also, the support from leadership has been massive. Being able to grow as a lecturer while staying true to my own style and energy has made a big difference.

It’s a great place to be, especially in the North East.

This region has always had a strong industrial identity - from shipbuilding to oil and gas - and now it’s transitioning into renewable energy. Being part of that shift and working on something that has real impact locally and globally is something I take a lot of pride in.

It feels like you’re part of something bigger than yourself.

There’s a really collaborative culture here.

We’re supported from senior leadership level, and we’re actively involved in shaping what the academy looks like - especially with things like the new building. It’s not just being told what to do; it’s about contributing ideas and helping shape the future.

Because the region has always relied on strong industries — and renewable energy is the next step in that.

A lot of our students come from backgrounds where their families worked in industries like shipbuilding or oil and gas. Now, they have the opportunity to be part of the next phase — renewable energy.

There’s a real sense of pride and work ethic, and it’s about giving them the opportunity to channel that into a growing sector.

It’s absolutely massive.

The expansion is going to transform what we can offer - more space, more equipment and more opportunities for students to become work-ready. It’s not just an academy anymore, it’s becoming a full energy campus.

The scale of what’s coming is huge, especially for the North East.

As someone who studied here and now teaches here, I’ve seen what it can do.

It’s not just about getting a qualification - it’s about getting hands-on experience, building industry connections and becoming work-ready before you even graduate.

This is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, and there’s a real opportunity to get involved early and build a career from it.