The National Battery Training and Skills Academy (NBTSA), a collaboration project between Newcastle University and New College Durham, has been officially opened by North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness.

Located at New College Durham the new academy and training facility will support workers in battery technology. The innovative facility is one of the first of its kind in the country and has been developed to provide the North East with the facilities to deliver training to the next generation of workers in battery technology.

Funded by the Faraday Battery Challenge, a programme delivered by Innovate UK, the academy is supporting workers and learners at Washington based battery manufacturer Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC.) Currently supplying Nissan, BMW, Mercedes, and Renault among others, over the past 13 years, AESC has produced power batteries for more than 950,000 EVs across 59 countries.

Regional battery hub

Professor Colin Herron from Newcastle University's School of Engineering said: “Having the NBTSA in the North East has been the catalyst for a lot more activity, in the skills and learning arena, both regionally and nationally. Regionally we have seen the Discovery Museum open their award-winning exhibition ‘Steam to Green’ which has, in its first 6 months, received over 70,000 members of the public and school children.

“New College Durham, a partner in the NBTSA, have installed their training equipment and trained hundreds of people in the battery Industry. The lead partner, Newcastle University, will be opening its training facility on the 6th of March to show case options for higher level training and its intent for a national battery training school. For the first time a battery skills framework has been produced from STEM to PhD with flexible learning routes.”

Professor René Koglbauer, Dean of Lifelong Learning and Professional Practice, Newcastle University, added: The National Battery Training and Skills Academy is a product of Newcastle University working in partnership with New College Durham, industry, policy makers and funders to address identified skills challenges in the region. Initiatives, such as the NBTSA, contribute to the regional and national growth agenda and the emerging skills eco-system. They will also impact positively on the futures of those individuals progressing through training programmes; offer positive futures for our young people in the region and new opportunities for those in and out of employment who require upskilling and reskilling. Additionally, it will bring battery and engineering awareness to the general public.”

Thomas Bartlett, Deputy Director - Faraday Battery Challenge at Innovate UK, said: “One of the main aims of the Faraday Battery Challenge is to empower partnerships such as this, to train and develop the next generation of innovators in this ever-growing industry.

“The FBC is working to develop a resilient and globally competitive battery industry in the UK by supporting cutting-edge research & innovation, world-class battery facilities, and unlocking the skills and investment needed to bring new and exciting technologies to market.”

During her visit to the academy, the mayor spent time with staff and students along with representatives of the partnership that generated this latest development.

Kim McGuinness, Mayor of the North East, said: “The North East is at the cusp of a new era of jobs and prosperity in the industries of the future, with huge potential in sectors such as battery tech, electric vehicles and offshore. As Mayor I’m determined the next generation of workers will have access to the jobs, training, and opportunities we’re creating so we become the home of real opportunity. That means a strong partnership between industry and education working together, and I'm delighted to see how New College Durham are working with employers to create train a highly skilled, well-paid workforce - proudly making things right here in the North East." 

Jeff Pratt, Vice President Manufacturing & SCM Europe AESC, said: ““AESC has built a reputation for high quality batteries made to the highest safety standards. Fundamental to this achieving this has been the investment we have made in skills and training our staff over the past decade.

“Establishing the National Battery Academy in North East England will make the region a hotbed of talent for the EV battery industry, and we look forward to working closely with Faraday, New College Durham, and Newcastle University to achieve this.”  

Andy Broadbent, Principal and Chief Executive of New College Durham added: “With the correct levels of research and training, electric vehicles and the EV battery environment can provide huge opportunities for innovation, and growth particularly here in the North East. It is our aim to ensure that students at the National Battery Training & Skills Academy not only make themselves more employable in this growing industry, but that they strive to seek innovative solutions to any problems they encounter.

“I am immensely proud that, through partnership working with Newcastle University, New College Durham is now well positioned to play a leading role in generating innovative and sustainable technologies.”

Adapted with thanks from New College Durham