SKILLS GAP FEATURE - 6TH FORM SCHOOLS TO FE COLLEGES
READY TO SUPPORT GROWTH EAST RIDING COLLEGE
Like education and training providers up and down the country, East Riding College has been busy preparing to support the local and regional economy as it seeks to take advantage of the imminent growth in the renewables industry.
THE HUMBER REGION AND OFFSHORE WIND The Humber region in particular is anticipating significant growth in the renewables sector resulting primarily from the allocation of a number of sites in the North Sea for offshore wind farms.
SIEMENS The most high profile on-shore development is the decision of German electrical engineering conglomerate Siemens to site a £210m factory in Hull to provide the required turbines.
As the politicians and company executives lay the foundations, the region’s workforce is poised to meet the demand for labour this much-needed economic shot in the arm is expected to deliver.
WORKFORCE REQUIREMENTS AND SKILLS But how will the workforce meet the requirements? And exactly which skills will be required?
These are questions local government and training providers have been pondering since the first shoots of renewables growth appeared. It seems inevitable that much of the highly specialised workers will have to come from outside the area, perhaps from outside of the country.
Their role, as education and training providers, is to give businesses in the region the tools to upskill their employees and to give individuals the skills and knowledge to help them secure employment in roles where demand is high.
COURSE DEVELOPMENT To this end, East Riding College has been developing courses in niche subjects such as working at height, working in confined spaces and engineering programmes with modules on green technology.
They are also developing plans for an Environmental Technology Centre – as part of their relocation within Beverley – with the stated aim of helping employers to take advantage of the renewables opportunities on offer.
THE SUPPLY CHAIN While they and others are putting together training to provide specialist skills, they are acutely aware that many of the benefits to the local economy will come in the supply chain, in the secondary and tertiary sectors where niche expertise is not required. Their plans are therefore based on sound labour market information and their knowledge of the local economy, as well as discussions with local employers.
EARLY DAYS But while this industry is still in its infancy, there are still many unknowns. Central government is yet to provide a sound analysis of skills gaps on which to base training provision and the demand from young people will not be generated until they see the jobs being created.
These are the key issues that face education and training providers supporting the renewables industry as it develops but East Riding College are focussed on ensuring the local workforce is best placed to benefit from the thousands of jobs expected to be created.
East Riding College
www.eastridingcollege.ac.uk
30
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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