A scholarship fund worth almost half a million pounds will support Teesside students who will lead the transition to Net Zero.
Energy infrastructure firm Kellas Midstream has donated £486,000 to Teesside University to help 18 undergraduate and postgraduate students through courses in sustainable energy and engineering in the University’s School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies.
The programme aims to facilitate the transition to a decarbonised energy industry, and will help Kellas build its business around Net Zero in the North Sea.
Read more: North East firm launches 'world's first' automated offshore wind vessel charging technology
The university is now accepting applications to the scholarship that will draw on its research expertise in disruptive technologies, processes and business models that can support the creation of a green industrial economy.
Professor Stephen Cummings, pro vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) at Teesside University, said: “As an industry-engaged University we pride ourselves in our ability to work with businesses to help them meet and overcome the challenges of the 21 st century.
“We all recognise the need to decarbonise our economy and so we are delighted to be working with Kellas Midstream to help industry make this vital transition.
“This will require new and evolving skills and it is fantastic that this partnership will help to develop the next generation of engineers who will be at the forefront of this critical role.”
Andy Hessell, Kellas Midstream managing director, said: “Teesside is being reinvented with energy transition firmly at the forefront. We are delighted to partner with the, University and to offer, through the Kellas Midstream scholarship programme, an opportunity for the area’s emerging engineering talent to be a part of its contribution to Net Zero.
"There is a proud industrial heritage on Teesside and we look forward to seeing this evolve through skills development into an important source of high-quality clean energy jobs.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “Our region is leading the way in the cleaner, safer and healthier industries of the future, and Kellas Midstream is one of the key firms driving our low carbon ambitions.
“By working alongside our university and investing in the talent of the future, Kellas Midstream is making sure that local people can secure the good-quality, well-paid jobs of tomorrow while boosting our skills offering.
“This scholarship fund will help keep Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool at the forefront of the transition to net zero and give us the expertise to grab all of the opportunities the sector presents with both hands.”
Teesside University's forthcoming £13.1m Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre is scheduled to open in spring next year. The project has secured £5.2m of funding from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.
The Kellas Midstream Clean Energy Scholarship forms part of the Teesside Transformation Fund, an initiative which supports students to access higher education and helps to fund targeted research projects in key areas.
