Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week: Niamh Dougan’s Journey from Apprentice to Marketing Executive at Port of Blyth
National Apprenticeship Week is the perfect moment to shine a light on the inspiring journeys of apprentices who are shaping the future of Northumberland’s economy. One remarkable example is Niamh Dougan, whose career at the Port of Blyth showcases the power of apprenticeships to unlock talent, opportunity, and regional growth.
Sailing into an Apprenticeship
Niamh began her journey in 2022 when she joined the Port of Blyth as a Business Administration Apprentice within Port Training Services. Her apprenticeship introduced her to a range of responsibilities; from supporting training bookings to contributing to STEM outreach events. All of this experience gave Niamh a broad grounding in the offshore energy sector and the clean energy industry.
Her talent for communication and marketing quickly became clear. After splitting her early apprenticeship time between Port Training Services and the marketing team, she demonstrated a natural flair for creative thinking, digital communication, and fast, efficient delivery, leading to an opportunity to pursue marketing full‑time while completing her Level 3 apprenticeship.
A Voyage of Achievement
From that point, Niamh’s growth accelerated. In July 2023, she officially joined the Marketing Department, progressing quickly within the Commercial Team. She earned recognition as Advanced Apprentice of the Year at Newcastle College’s Apprenticeship Awards in February 2024, followed by achieving her apprenticeship with Distinction in May 2024.
Shortly after, she secured a permanent role as Marketing Executive, a testament to her dedication, talent, and the strength of the apprenticeship pathway.
At the Heart of Energy Central
Niamh also works closely with Energy Central, the partnership between Northumberland County Council, Advance Northumberland, Port of Blyth, and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult that anchors the region’s offshore renewable energy cluster. This collaboration enables her to support joint initiatives, amplify shared messaging, and contribute to the smooth delivery of stakeholder activity across the partnership. She plays a key role in supporting the quarterly Energy Central breakfast sessions, which bring together businesses, innovators and partners across the offshore wind and clean‑energy ecosystem to share updates, strengthen networks and showcase opportunities within Northumberland’s rapidly growing renewables sector.
Supporting Northumberland as a Pioneer in Offshore Wind
Niamh’s work today directly contributes to the region’s growing reputation as a global leader in offshore wind, a position championed through the “Pioneers in Offshore Wind” campaign from Business Northumberland.
Her role in marketing at the Port of Blyth helps amplify the assets, achievements, and opportunities within Northumberland’s renewable energy ecosystem. The Port has played a defining role in the offshore wind sector for over twenty-five years, serving as one of the UK’s most significant bases for construction, operations, and innovation.
By supporting communications, events, campaigns, and stakeholder engagement, Niamh is part of the team showcasing why Northumberland is a destination of choice for offshore wind investment and innovation, a key message at the heart of the Invest Northumberland campaign.
Anchored in Opportunity: Apprenticeships That Shape Careers
Niamh’s journey demonstrates exactly what National Apprenticeship Week celebrates:
- Real career pathways created through hands‑on learning
- Regional economic impact, especially within fast‑growing sectors like offshore wind
- Personal development and progression, supported by employers committed to skills and innovation
As Niamh herself has shared, choosing an apprenticeship was the best decision she ever made, giving her confidence, experience, and a long‑term career in an industry shaping Northumberland’s future.
Niamh demonstrates what it is to be a part of Northumberland’s pioneering offshore wind journey, it is one of progression, dedication, development and high energy. Through Northumberland’s ongoing and extensive investment in skills through initiatives like Energy Central Learning Hub, Energy Central Institute and Northumberland College, the county looks forward to welcoming more apprentices in the future, to be part of our journey as ‘Pioneers in Offshore Wind.’