New Construction and Housing Academy in Ashington

Northumberland College has partnered with Bernicia and Dukes Secondary School to launch a new academy which will give young people aged 14-16 the opportunity to develop technical skills while studying for a vocational qualification.

The employer-led Construction Academy will bring education and industry closer together, helping students from Duke’s gain industry experience, build confidence and explore careers in one of the region’s fastest-growing sectors.

The launch builds on the success of the Engineering Academy, created in 2025 through a partnership between Northumberland College, Duke’s Secondary School, AkzoNobel, JDR Cable Systems and Universal Wolf – Tharsus, and comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced major reforms to 14-16 education.

The college’s academies reflect this approach, allowing students to combine their GCSE studies at school with a Level 2 technical qualification in Constructing and Maintaining the Built Environment, meaning they will benefit from industry-led teaching and practical training at college and on-site with Bernicia, preparing them for further education, apprenticeships and employment.

Throughout the programme, students will experience masterclasses, work placements and immersion days, helping them develop technical skills in maintenance, diagnostics and safe tool use, alongside industry behaviours including professionalism, teamwork, communication and health and safety awareness.

They will receive branded academy uniforms and, upon successful completion of the two-year programme, will be guaranteed an apprenticeship interview with Bernicia Homes or guaranteed a place at Northumberland College.

From October, the academy will be based at Northumberland College’s new Ashington Campus at Wansbeck Business Park. Supported by the Department for Education, the trailblazing development will revolutionise the education and skills landscape across the North East and beyond through state-of-the-art facilities aligned to industry priority sectors.

Students will be based in the Hope Building, named in honour of renowned local businessman Jeff Hope, which will become a centre for technical excellence and home to the School of Engineering and School of Construction, creating an immersive industry environment for learners.

Russ Atkinson, Principal of Duke’s Secondary School, said: “This partnership gives our students the opportunity to learn in a real vocational environment, gain a recognised qualification and develop the practical skills that local employers are looking for.

“By working closely with Northumberland College and local businesses, we are making sure that education is connected to the needs of our community and creating clear pathways into further education, apprenticeships and employment.”

John Johnston Bernicia CEO said, “This fantastic initiative will give students a closer experience of the world of work and help prepare them for a successful career in maintenance and construction.

“The Construction and Housing Academy is a great extension to our employability and apprenticeship programmes at Bernicia, where at any one time at least 5% of our workforce are apprentices, with 95% going on to secure full-time positions across the business.

“Thanks to Northumberland College and Dukes secondary school, this will provide a valuable opportunity for local young people, as they start to think about their transition into work.”

The existing Engineering Academy has already demonstrated the value of employer-led technical education, bringing together schools, industry and further education to create clear progression routes into high-demand engineering careers while strengthening the region’s future workforce.

Judith Quinn, Ashington Campus Principal, said: “We are delighted to launch the Construction Housing Academy in partnership with Duke’s Secondary School and Bernicia.

“Our employer-led academies are a fantastic example of education and industry working together to prepare young people for successful careers.

“The Construction and Housing Academy will provide students with valuable technical skills, real workplace experiences and direct access to one of the region’s leading housing organisations, while creating a clear progression pathway into technical and higher education, apprenticeships and into skilled employment in the construction sector.”

L-R: John Johnston (CEO Bernicia), Judith Quinn (Ashington Campus Principal), and Russ Aktinson (Principal Duke’s Secondary School) outside the Hope Building at Northumberland College’s new Ashington Campus on Wansbeck Business Park.