Alongside the companies was a strong university presence, showcasing the students’ higher education opportunities within the sector. Universities for North East England were present with students and staff representing universities from Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland, and Teesside.
Students in attendance had the opportunity to speak with representatives from universities, employers, and fellow young professionals working in the clean energy industry. A variety of North East-based companies were present, including National Grid, Siemens Energy, and The Crown Estate, encouraging students to get involved and explaining the different avenues available to them.
Dionne Lee, Head of Publishing for Universities for North East England, said, “being in a region at the forefront of this industry, it is vital that young people can see the progression pathways available to them."
The event was also attended by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, MP, alongside the MP for Stockton North and the Minister for Industry in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Chris McDonald, MP.
It is really important that we give young people the choice that they do not feel that they have to move away.
Speaking to Chris McDonald, MP, he said: "I am a part of a government that is prioritising young people, and has a long-term commitment to investing in their skills”.
Originally being from the Northeast, the politician cited his own personal connection to the region: “It is really important that we give people the choice that they do not feel that they have to move away.”
The event follows on from the government’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan that aims to deliver 400,000 extra jobs by 2030. By employing young people in the Northeast, they will hopefully go on to settle and stay in the region, contributing to the local economy and community.
Having government and mayoral officials speak directly to young people underscored the importance of the Northeast as a leading clean energy hub, with the creation of 15,000 jobs in the next five years promising a future for young people in the renewables industry.
The mayor highlighted the importance of the rapidly growing clean energy industry, particularly in the North East. Speaking to Port of Tyne, she said: “Young people in the Northeast will benefit from the career opportunities of a lifetime in our booming clean energy industry.”
Alongside this, the government’s first-ever national plan to recruit high-earning, skilled workers employed to tackle Carbon Neutrality lays out plans for future investment projects in the North East. The investment directed into the region is set to see the creation of jobs in key sectors such as engineering, construction and electrical trades.
Port of Tyne is also heavily investing in the green energy sector. In September, they announced that they were investing £150 million to create the Tyne Clean Energy Park, which could see up to 12,000 jobs and £5.6 billion in growth for the economy.
Chief Business Officer for the Port of Tyne, Ashley Nicholson, told The Courier: “We are really excited to be at the heart of trying to be the catalyst for this in the North East, particularly for young people.”
The events focus on educating the next generation of workers, it provided the students with the opportunity to directly engage with future employers as they learned about apprenticeships and graduate schemes.
the Northeast has not been developed as well as it should be with regards to careers and aspirations, hopefully this can help change that.
Debra Brown, associate principal for advanced manufacturing and engineering at Sunderland College, said "the Northeast has not been developed as well as it should be with regards to careers and aspirations, hopefully this can help change that.”
Subsequent governments from Johnson onwards have adamantly aimed to deliver an agenda of ‘levelling up’, consequently, decreasing regional inequality in the UK and creating a more diverse economy that is not as ‘London-centric’. As part of the work to make these efforts materialise, on Thursday, 11th December, Great British Energy formally opened its Supply Chain Fund, resulting in up to £300 million in capital grant funding being given to improve UK manufacturing capacity, mainly for the offshore wind industry.
Ultimately, the creation of around 15,000 jobs in the Northeast comes at a time when the graduate job market is increasingly competitive for a decreasing number of roles. According to the Institute of Student Employers, the average employer receives 140 applications per graduate job, a 59% increase from 2022-2023.
For graduates from Newcastle University and other further education institutions, time will only tell if job prospects are able to improve, specifically in the clean energy sector.