Building on its recent recognition as one of four Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence Colleges across the nation, New College Durham (NCD) is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Weardale Lithium aimed at strengthening the North East’s emerging lithium battery and clean energy sector.
The collaboration, designed to create new opportunities in skilled careers, builds on NCD’s role as the home of the National Battery Training & Skills Academy (NBTSA) which delivers specialist training in battery technology and prepares learners for careers in electric vehicles, energy storage and advanced manufacturing.
Alison Maynard, Deputy Principal of New College Durham, said: “This partnership with Weardale Lithium marks an important milestone for both our students and the wider regional economy. By working in close collaboration with industry, we are equipping learners with the advanced technical knowledge and specialist skills required to succeed in a rapidly evolving energy sector, while supporting the development of sustainable, high-value careers across the North East.
The strength of our curriculum, the depth of our employer partnerships, and our clear focus on future workforce needs have recently been recognised at a national level. We are extremely proud to have been confirmed as one of only four Technical Excellence Colleges for Advanced Manufacturing in the country, an achievement that reflects both the quality of our provision and our commitment to delivering skills that align with industry demand.”
Weardale Lithium is pioneering a domestic source of lithium, a critical material for battery production and energy storage systems. The company is the first in the UK to produce lithium carbonate from geothermal waters beneath the North Pennine Ore Field, offering a low-carbon, low-waste alternative to traditional extraction methods.
Stewart Dickson, Managing Director of Weardale Lithium, added: “By connecting education, research and industry, this partnership will play a vital role in ensuring the North East workforce is equipped with the advanced skills needed to support the clean energy sector’s rapid expansion. With significant progress being made locally, including our planned lithium extraction projects in County Durham, the region is quickly emerging as a key contributor to the UK’s critical minerals and battery supply chain.
Through this collaboration, we are not only responding to immediate skills demands but also helping to build a sustainable talent pipeline that aligns with national priorities around energy security and the development of domestic lithium production. By aligning education with cutting-edge innovation and industrial growth, we are positioning the North East and its workforce at the forefront of the UK’s transition to a low-carbon, high-value economy.”
Following planning permission from Durham County Council for a demonstration plant at its Eastgate site and supported by recent funding through the Government’s DRIVE35 programme, Weardale Lithium is preparing to scale up its operations. As part of this partnership, NCD and Weardale Lithium will deliver tailored training programmes aligned to the needs of the growing lithium and battery supply chain. The collaboration further strengthens the North East’s position as a hub for critical minerals, energy innovation and advanced manufacturing skills development.
Stewart Dickson, Managing Director of Weardale Lithium, (2nd from right) marking the innovative partnership with Paul Bradley, Chief Financial Officer, Sharon Bennett, Assistant Principal (Advanced Manufacturing and Partnerships) and Alison Maynard, Deputy Principal of New College Durham