I’m Head of Clean Energy at Newcastle College, leading a team of teachers and support staff across a wide provision - from full-time students to apprenticeships and higher education.

A big part of my role is overseeing the strategic development and growth of the Energy Academy, making sure what we offer continues to evolve alongside industry.

When I left school, I started as an apprentice pipe welder in an oil rig module yard.

From there, I worked abroad on contracts in countries like Holland, Belgium, Italy and France before moving into supervisory roles on major projects. I worked on the Wembley Stadium build and even did welding work on the Angel of the North.

In my mid-30s, I moved into education, teaching engineering and welding, and have progressed into leadership roles since.

The investment and future vision for the Energy Academy was a big draw.

It felt like a bit of a blank canvas - an opportunity to come in, shape the provision and develop something that’s fit for the future of the industry.

The development of the learners.

Seeing them progress from school, through their course, and then into positive outcomes - whether that’s apprenticeships, higher education or employment - is the most rewarding part of the job.

It’s a fantastic facility with a really good atmosphere.

Over the last two years, we’ve invested heavily in equipment, working closely with employers to make sure everything aligns with industry. That means learners are training on the same types of equipment they’ll use in the workplace.

For me, it’s a great environment to learn in, and somewhere that genuinely prepares students for employment.

It’s vitally important, especially with how the world is evolving towards renewable energy.

We’re helping to prepare learners for what I’d call the energy revolution - making sure they have the skills needed for the future of the sector.

Employer engagement is absolutely key to what we do.

We’re based right on the Tyne and work with some major companies who help shape our provision, including Smulders, Shepherd Offshore and WD Close.

Those relationships have helped the academy grow significantly in a short space of time and ensure what we deliver is relevant to industry needs.

It’s a really exciting time.

The expansion of the academy is a huge step forward - not just for Newcastle College, but for the region as a whole. Having multiple facilities with industry-standard equipment will allow us to support more learners and meet the growing demand from employers, both locally and beyond.

For anyone looking to get into renewable energy, engineering, mechanical or electrical routes - this is the place to be.

We’ve got industry-standard equipment that’s second to none in the area, and everything we do is focused on helping learners develop their skills and become industry-ready.