Specialist facilities

The College has invested in world class facilities for research and skills development in low carbon technologies.

Skills Academy for Sustainable Manufacture and Innovation
This state of the art centre located at the heart of North East England’s automotive district and the Low Carbon Economic Area, situated adjacent to Nissan’s UK plant, is the basis for our planned network of Productivity and Innovation Centres (PICs). It is the first dedicated facility in the country to specialise in research and development and training in the emerging LCV sector.

Automotive Test and Performance Track
The only publicly accessible test track facility in the North and the only test track in the UK in a designated Low Carbon Economic Area, Gateshead College’s Test Track lies at the heart of the UK’s largest automotive cluster.

Designed for sustainable vehicle testing, it is just as suitable for conventional vehicles, it is a truly low carbon facility with hydrolisers, electric vehicle charging points (both standard and quick) and biofuel provision. There are no weight restrictions.

The centre is also the only one of its type in Europe linked to a training facility,  the Skills Academy for Sustainable Manufacturing and Innovation which places the combined facility at the heart of both further and higher education research capabilities in low carbon technologies.

Skills Academy for Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics
The dedicated Skills Academy for Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics offers  top of the range equipment including; state-of-the-art driving simulators, MOT testing equipment, a rolling road, specialist diagnostic equipment, spray booths and a dedicated welding workshop

Skills Academy Construction
With a brand-new £7.5m extension, the Skills Academy for Construction is fully equipped to meet the growing demand for training in sustainable construction technologies. The Academy provides dedicated training for those involved in the development and installation of LCV infrastructure.

Auto Skills Centre
The college’s AutoSkills Centre specialises in industry-specific training and ATA accredited courses in vehicle body and paint repairs. It offers exceptional facilities and a comprehensive range of courses for the LCV and hybrid vehicle sector including Electric Vehicle (EV) Awareness, EV Hazard Management, Service and Repair of EV and Hybrid Vehicles, Automotive Technician Accreditation, Manufacturing Suite and Manufacturing.