Works starts on £5m manufacturing training hub
WORK has commenced on a National Process Manufacturing Training Centre in Huddersfield, with a pricetag of £5m.
The centre is being delivered as part of a Kirklees College initiative, with £3.1m capital funding from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, as well as funds from local businesses.
The site will create 440 apprenticeships and 26 jobs including construction workers, technicians, teaching and admin staff at its site next to the College’s engineering faculties on Turnbridge Road in Huddersfield .
The College said it had identified the need for a process manufacturing training centre for the chemical, pharmaceuticals and food manufacturing industries in the Leeds City Region, and first started working on the project in 2012.
The initial collaboration involved Nufarm UK Limited, Syngenta, Kirklees College and YCF (Your Connected Future) and more businesses have now signed up.
Kirklees College principal Peter McCann said: “This is an important development to provide specialist local training for major employers vital to the economy of Kirklees and the Leeds City Region.
“I am extremely grateful for the support the college has received from a wide range of employers such as Syngenta, Nufarm and Kodak, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and Kirklees Council without any of whom we would not have been able to get to this position today.”
Roger Marsh, chairperson of the LEP said: “This is the first of our skills capital projects to start on site as a result of our Growth Deal funding secured from government. I am delighted so many businesses are supporting this initiative, helping us marry the expertise of industry professionals with the experience and knowledge of our local college.
“We know there is a huge demand for skills in the engineering sector, especially given our prominence as the largest manufacturing centre in the country and this initiative will help equip young people with the skills needed for the future.”
Project ‘start-up’ commenced in January 2015 and the centre will be available for training in early 2016.
