GWO BTT: The big industry problem that nobody's talking about
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A new partnership between WTS and Northumberland Skills has transformed ECLH into a fully equipped training hub, built to prepare the next wave of engineers.
In Blyth, a new kind of classroom is taking shape - one that reflects the pressures, expectations, and opportunities of today’s renewable energy sector.
Northumberland Skills and WTS have joined forces to create a training environment that feels like the job, because that’s the point. With hands-on learning built around fault-finding, troubleshooting, and high-risk task management, learners at the Energy Central Learning Hub (ECLH) are getting more than certificates, they’re gaining confidence, purpose, and skills that carry weight.
“Our partnership with WTS allows young people to learn in a live engineering environment that reflects the modern workplace. It’s a huge part of their learning experience here to understand and demonstrate the expected behaviours as well as the skills employers are looking for. In this way, we know we are setting learners up for success and exciting opportunities. Together, we’re building an inclusive training offer that opens doors to great careers in renewable energy, engineering and beyond.” - Paul Cottiss, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Lecturer and Curriculum Lead at Northumberland Skills.
For WTS, building real career pathways isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s the whole reason we exist. As a company rooted in South Shields and grounded in values like integrity, accessibility, and no-nonsense progress, we believe young people deserve a genuine shot at a future in this industry. That means removing barriers, creating better entry points, and building training that meets the moment.
This isn’t theoretical training. It’s a real pathway into careers that matter.
WTS has provided bespoke training rigs, practical course content, and real-world insight gained from over a decade of technical training experience. That means every wire, switch, and scenario learners encounter at ECLH is grounded in what happens on site — whether they’re on a wind turbine, a production line, or working towards a future yet to be built.
“This is more than just kit in a classroom – it’s a gateway to careers in industries that are vital to our future. We’re proud to work with Northumberland Skills, who are leading the way in engineering training locally, to create learning pathways that are relevant, engaging and driven by industry needs.” - Dominic Connolly, Founding Director at WTS.
The partnership is already shaping the region’s future workforce and proving what’s possible when education and industry work hand in hand.
