Local MPs Melanie Onn and Martin Vickers inaugurated the new Catch Skills and Apprenticeships Centre in Stallingborough. The £1.5 million facility aims to bridge the skills gap as the Humber region transitions to green energy.
Funded by various industrial sponsors, the centre will more than double its capacity, addressing key skills in trades essential for green energy projects.
Inauguration of the Green Skills Training Centre
The newly established Catch Skills and Apprenticeships Centre in Stallingborough, valued at £1.5 million, was formally inaugurated by MPs Melanie Onn and Martin Vickers. The centre is designed to tackle the skills gap as the Humber region transitions to green energy. Funding for the facility has come from numerous industrial sponsors in the area, including Phillips 66 Limited, Harbour Energy, Drax, ABP, Air Products, Uniper, ECITB, and Humber Freeport.
This newly expanded centre is set to more than double Catch’s capacity from 100 to around 220 apprentices. Additionally, the welding and grinding bay capacity will be tripled to 80 bays, addressing a significant skills gap in these trades. Catch has ambitious future plans to establish a £60 million National Net Zero Training Centre by 2029, aimed at training 1,000 learners per year in key areas such as carbon capture and storage, gigafactories, hydrogen, and green steel.
Significance for the Local Economy
According to Melanie Onn, MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, investment in green initiatives is crucial for the economic growth of North East Lincolnshire. She emphasised that the collaboration between businesses and educational institutions is key to this success. This facility will create numerous opportunities for young people in the region, particularly in STEM careers.
“Investment in green initiatives like this is vital as we work to grow North East Lincolnshire’s economy,” said Onn. “It is great to see so many businesses putting funding into our area, and I look forward to seeing how things progress as the Humber Skills Plan unfolds.”
Industry Perspectives and Collaboration
David Talbot, CEO of Catch, commented on the urgent need for skilled workers in the decarbonisation journey. The centre aims to train pipefitters, platers, welders, and fabricators, addressing an ever-growing skills gap in these crucial trades. This collaboration is unprecedented in the UK, with no other cluster coming together so proactively to narrow this industrial skills gap.
Paul Fursey, lead executive UK and Humber refinery general manager, highlighted the importance of investing in a skilled workforce to achieve net zero targets. Fursey added, “Catch’s new welding and fabrication training centre will become a hub of excellence, demonstrating how the UK can increase the knowledge and skills needed to deliver the net zero targets.”
Future Prospects and Expansion Plans
Catch’s future plans do not stop at the current expansion. By 2029, the organisation aims to establish the National Net Zero Training Centre, a £60 million facility. This new centre will focus on training around 1,000 learners per year in areas such as carbon capture and storage, gigafactories, hydrogen, and green steel.
Such expansion projects emphasise the commitment of Catch and its industrial sponsors to long-term skill development in the region. The involvement of key industry players underscores the importance of this initiative not only locally but also on a national scale.
Impact on Apprenticeship Programs
The Catch Skills and Apprenticeships Centre has already welcomed its latest cohort of apprentices, marking a significant milestone in the centre’s operational journey. The facility’s expansion is expected to more than double its existing capacity, thereby providing enhanced training opportunities for a greater number of apprentices.
The centre is seen as a critical infrastructure in addressing the skills gap in industries essential to achieving the UK’s net zero objectives. Its capacity to train more apprentices will help in creating a more skilled workforce, which is vital for future industrial projects related to green energy and sustainability.
Community and Educational Engagement
The success of initiatives like the Catch Skills and Apprenticeships Centre relies heavily on community and educational engagement. Collaboration with local schools, colleges, and universities plays a crucial role in ensuring a steady influx of young talent into the green energy sector.
By fostering these relationships, the centre can better align its training programs with the needs of both the industry and the community. Such engagement ensures that the skills being taught are relevant and up-to-date, thereby increasing the employability of graduates and supporting regional economic growth.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
While the establishment of the Catch Skills and Apprenticeships Centre marks a significant step forward in bridging the green skills gap, it also presents several challenges. Sustaining funding, staying ahead of technological advancements, and ensuring continuous community and industry support are critical factors for the centre’s long-term success.
The Catch Skills and Apprenticeships Centre represents a monumental effort to address the skills gap in crucial trades necessary for the green energy transition. With plans for further expansion, the centre is not just a local but a national asset in developing a skilled workforce for a sustainable future.
The collaboration between businesses, educational institutions, and the community underscores the collective commitment to achieving the UK’s net zero goals. This facility marks a significant step forward in ensuring that the Humber region and the UK at large are prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
