Partnerships key to renewables jobs success

Organisations from across the city have come together to form a skills partnership to develop skills training packages and raise the skills levels and therefore employability of local people, as progress towards an agreement to build a wind turbine manufacturing facility in the city gathers pace.

The partnership, led by Hull City Council working with Jobcentre Plus and Hull College, has developed a series of training and skills packages focussed on improving the job prospects in the renewables sector of people living in Hull and East Riding area.

A brand new online registration form has been launched on the Green Port Hull website to support the partnership’s efforts by capturing the information of hundreds of prospective workers keen to show their interest in the project and receive regular updates. Anyone interested in future jobs can register their interest, current skills and contact details and visitors can also register for future information on training opportunities.

Job Centre Plus employee Debbie Rose has now moved into Hull City Council’s Economic Development team to work directly on the scheme.

The main aim of the partnership is to ensure that Hull and the East Riding achieves maximum benefit from the Green Port Hull investment, by securing jobs for local people and in turn creating a significant knock-on impact on the wider local economy.

John Duffill, district manager, Jobcentre Plus, North East Yorkshire and Humber District said: “Jobcentre Plus is delighted to partner Hull City Council and Hull College in supporting the development of training and skills packages to help people secure employment in the renewable energy sector.”

Further support for the prospective workforce is coming from Hull City Council’s Grow Programme which, in conjunction with Hull Training, HETA (Humber Engineering Training Association) and Hull College, is already funding wage subsidies for 70 apprenticeship placements associated with the renewable energy sector. The council is developing further schemes of this nature.

Mark Jones, Hull City Council’s head of economic development and regeneration, said: “The work going on behind the scenes by the skills group will raise employability and skills levels within Hull and the East Riding so we achieve the maximum benefit from the potential of Green Port Hull by securing new local jobs for local people.

“We are pleased to welcome Debbie Rose from Jobcentre Plus as part of our skills team, who will work on this project. We are working hard now to make sure we are prepared with a ready made workforce for the renewables sector for the future.”

Anyone wanting to register their current skillset, enquire about training or find out more about the development and the scheme should visit www.greenporthull.co.uk and register for updates.