Data centre at Cambois, Northumberland, creates thousands of job
QTS has begun enabling works for the development of its data centre campus in Cambois, Blyth, in one of the first steps toward the Northeast of the UK becoming an AI hub.
With the investment of funds managed by affiliates of Blackstone, the data centre will create thousands of jobs in the area, QTS said. The development is the first new build data centre in the UK to receive National Skills Academy for Construction status by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
QTS secured planning approval for the enabling works from Northumberland County Council in August, with work now underway to pave the way for breaking ground and vertical development. With the Northeast recently designated an AI Growth Zone, “this milestone marks the first visible step in uniting cutting-edge technology, sustainability innovation, job creation, incentivisation for additional clean energy production and meaningful economic regeneration across the region”, said QTS.
The enabling works celebration was attended by nearly 200 stakeholders and community members, including local business leaders and politicians.
The Northeast is experiencing the highest economic inactivity rate in the UK and an unemployment rate well above the national average, according to the Office for National Statistics. The Social Value programme unveiled at the enabling works ceremony will help address these challenges through targeted social, economic and environmental initiatives aimed at boosting employment and skills development, including opportunities for young people, including over 100 apprenticeships and jobs with training, over 150 paid internships, and more than 200 work placements including 100 ‘T-level’ placement days, providing hands-on experience and career pathways for young people.
T-level placements include two-year technical qualifications for students with a focus on vocational skills that combine classroom learning with real-world industry experience. There will also be training and upskilling opportunities through various events, courses and initiatives to develop the existing and future workforce, and local supply chain investment and partnerships with small businesses to support local entrepreneurship.
Tag Greason, co-CEO at QTS, said: “QTS is thrilled to have officially started work on the site of our data centre campus. While this is the first step in a long journey, it is a visible milestone of progress made possible by the support of the local community and Northumberland County Council. We want to have a lasting positive impact on the Northeast which is why we’ve announced our commitment to create more than a thousand new jobs – boosting the skills of hundreds of local people in the coming years.”
Kanishka Narayan, AI Minister, said: “By attracting investment, putting researchers within touching distance of tech that will lead to major breakthroughs and backing the Northeast as an AI powerhouse, we’re delivering real change for generations to come.”
With the investment of funds managed by affiliates of Blackstone, the data centre will create thousands of jobs in the area, QTS said. The development is the first new build data centre in the UK to receive National Skills Academy for Construction status by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
QTS secured planning approval for the enabling works from Northumberland County Council in August, with work now underway to pave the way for breaking ground and vertical development. With the Northeast recently designated an AI Growth Zone, “this milestone marks the first visible step in uniting cutting-edge technology, sustainability innovation, job creation, incentivisation for additional clean energy production and meaningful economic regeneration across the region”, said QTS.
The enabling works celebration was attended by nearly 200 stakeholders and community members, including local business leaders and politicians.
The Northeast is experiencing the highest economic inactivity rate in the UK and an unemployment rate well above the national average, according to the Office for National Statistics. The Social Value programme unveiled at the enabling works ceremony will help address these challenges through targeted social, economic and environmental initiatives aimed at boosting employment and skills development, including opportunities for young people, including over 100 apprenticeships and jobs with training, over 150 paid internships, and more than 200 work placements including 100 ‘T-level’ placement days, providing hands-on experience and career pathways for young people.
T-level placements include two-year technical qualifications for students with a focus on vocational skills that combine classroom learning with real-world industry experience. There will also be training and upskilling opportunities through various events, courses and initiatives to develop the existing and future workforce, and local supply chain investment and partnerships with small businesses to support local entrepreneurship.
Tag Greason, co-CEO at QTS, said: “QTS is thrilled to have officially started work on the site of our data centre campus. While this is the first step in a long journey, it is a visible milestone of progress made possible by the support of the local community and Northumberland County Council. We want to have a lasting positive impact on the Northeast which is why we’ve announced our commitment to create more than a thousand new jobs – boosting the skills of hundreds of local people in the coming years.”
Kanishka Narayan, AI Minister, said: “By attracting investment, putting researchers within touching distance of tech that will lead to major breakthroughs and backing the Northeast as an AI powerhouse, we’re delivering real change for generations to come.”
