The government’s first ever Clean Energy Jobs Fair has championed the thousands of new North-east roles to be created in the sector in the next five years.

Co-hosted by the North East Mayor, Port of Tyne and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero the event showcased the North-east’s growing role as a national clean energy hub and highlighted the 15,000  new jobs expected in the region over the next five years.

Following the government’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan, the first ever national plan to train and recruit workers needed for the clean energy mission, the jobs fair brought together local businesses, universities and colleges to show students the opportunities available. 

The energy secretary Ed Miliband, minister for industry Chris McDonald and North-east mayor Kim McGuinness attended what is expected to be the first event in a series across the country. 

The North-east is a major clean energy hub, with Blyth launching the country’s offshore wind industry 25 years ago and the east coast carbon capture cluster expected to directly support 2,000 jobs in the region. 

Industry and local colleges are already collaborating to train up the next generation of workers in the North-east. Newcastle College’s Energy Academy runs subsea and renewable energy training, while Middlesbrough College has partnered with BP to train operators for roles in carbon capture and hydrogen. 

It comes as Great British Energy has also opened its £300m supply chain fund to ensure critical components used in offshore wind – from blades to turbines to transmission cables – are built here, supporting jobs in Britain. 

Minister for industry, Chris McDonald, said: “Young people in the North-east will benefit from the career opportunities of a lifetime in our fast-growing clean energy industry, without needing to leave their home. 

“From engineering to research and construction roles – I  could see businesses and local colleges and training providers come together to highlight these jobs of the future.”

North-east mayor, Kim McGuiness, added:  “We are making the North-east the home of the green energy revolution so we’re delighted to welcome the energy secretary and minister for industry to our region so they can see our work in action. 

“We’ve brought together students with skills providers and employers, showing the wide range of green energy opportunities available here in the North-east. We’re funding innovation, infrastructure and skills right across the region to provide thousands more jobs in green energy – up to 24,000 by 2035.  

“We have seen today that young people are excited about their future in this thriving sector – there’s a buzz in the air which is great to see.”

Ashley Nicholson, chief business officer at the Port of Tyne, said: “We’re proud to showcase the North-east’s growing renewables cluster and the opportunities it offers to young people and those looking to retrain. 

“The Port of Tyne is driving the region’s green energy revolution through the 230-acre Tyne Clean Energy Park, backed by over £150m of investment in world-class infrastructure and a strong track record of project delivery.  

“This momentum is creating a powerful platform for offshore renewables, innovation and new jobs, cementing the North-east as a centre of excellence for clean energy.”