Electric battery centre to boost skills

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the facility's opening

A training centre aimed at bolstering the region's electric vehicle battery industry has opened.

The National Battery Training and Skills Academy will support hundreds of new recruits for a so-called gigafactory being built next to the Nissan plant on Wearside.

It is hoped the Durham facility will spark growth not just in the factory but also across the wider economy.

New College Durham, where the centre is based, said it will "inspire the next generation" to consider careers in green technology.

Andy Broadbent, the college's principal and chief executive, said: "To be able to provide the facilities to support one of the major employers in the North East is just brilliant.

"The spin offs from that are the opportunities for our students, this will make them really ready for employment out there in the real world."

Really competitive

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness was among who took part in an opening ceremony at the college.

She said: "For a really long time this country has been talking about the need for battery factories, but this region has just quietly been getting on and done it.

"I think we have proven over and over again that we are really competitive in this market.

"Nissan is one of the most productive plants in the world and we've seen a commitment there to transition to all electric vehicles, and this factory facility backs that up."