Bridging the Skills Gap in Offshore Wind
The Wind Academy, based in Blyth, Northumberland, is a specialist training provider focused exclusively on preparing individuals and workforces for careers in the fast-growing offshore wind sector. Established in 2023 in response to the significant demand for high-quality vocational training tailored to renewable energy needs, Northumberland was chosen from the outset as the ideal location to establish and scale the business, given Blyth’s strong legacy of over 25 years in the UK’s offshore wind industry.
Recognising a skills shortage in the UK wind industry, the founder and Managing Director, Geoff Briggs designed the academy to equip learners with practical skills and industry-recognised qualifications that enable immediate progression into employment within offshore wind.
Geoff Briggs, Managing Director, The Wind Academy
“Northumberland was a natural choice for The Wind Academy. Blyth offers a long‑established offshore wind heritage, world‑class infrastructure, and a strong, collaborative energy cluster. We initially operated across one location and explored expanding elsewhere, but none matched the level of offshore wind activity found here, making the decision to remain in Blyth clear. Today, rather than operating from a single building, we run a campus across three sites. This approach allows us to make full use of existing assets and deliver realistic, industry‑led training in the same locations technicians mobilise from, while staying closely aligned with employers and the wider offshore wind supply chain.”
Strategically located at the Port of Blyth, The Wind Academy benefits from direct access to industry-standard facilities and infrastructure in one of the UK’s leading offshore wind hubs offering real life training in a real-world setting. In partnership with Port Training Services, the team operate a full-sized, modified wind turbine used for hands-on instruction reflecting the kind of real-world environment employers increasingly require.
Quote from Geoff Briggs about why Northumberland was the chosen investment location for The Wind Academy.
The academy offers a broad portfolio of courses ranging from Global Wind Organisation (GWO) safety certifications and basic offshore induction to specialist technical training, such as fibre optic handling, OTDR testing and high voltage jointing. These programmes ensure learners not only gain certificates but also practical competencies relevant to offshore wind projects.
The Wind Academy plays a critical role within the broader renewable energy ecosystem in Blyth and Northumberland. Located at the heart of Energy Central, Blyth’s nationally recognised renewable energy cluster, the academy complements major research and innovation assets such as the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and skills infrastructure including the Energy Central Campus. Together, this cluster of industry, innovation and training organisations creates a fully integrated pathway from education and research through to commercial deployment. By providing specialist, industry-led training aligned to employer demand, The Wind Academy strengthens the region’s talent pipeline, supports offshore wind growth and enhances Northumberland’s ability to attract and retain future clean energy investment.
As demand for offshore wind skills continues to accelerate, The Wind Academy is building on its success with plans to expand course provision, strengthen employer partnerships and invest further in facilities at its Blyth base. Proud to call Northumberland home, the academy remains committed to growing alongside the region’s thriving clean energy sector.