Plans approved for green skills training site

Plans to expand facilities at a green skills training centre in North East Lincolnshire have been approved.

The development at the Catch site in Stallingborough includes an industrial decarbonisation centre and a renewable energy training centre.

Its bosses said the facilities would help to deliver the skills needed to deliver the UK's net-zero infrastructure.

North East Lincolnshire Council approved the plans on Friday and both facilities are expected to open in 2026.

Catch, which launched its apprenticeships programme in 2021, is supported by investment from partners including Associated British Ports and Humber Freeport.

David Talbot, chief executive of Catch, said: "These developments mark the next stage in our plans to train 1,000 apprentices per year by 2030."

The renewable energy training centre will have classroom space and purpose-built workshops to offer hands-on training for technicians and operators.

The decarbonisation centre will include a lecture theatre and office space.

Simon Green, chief executive of Humber Freeport, said: "To decarbonise the Humber's industrial cluster and transition to a net-zero economy, we need the right people with the right skills and expertise.

"Facilities like Catch are absolutely vital to equip our future workforce with the capabilities and the confidence to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving and growing green skills sector."

Earlier this year, the government announced plans to invest in green-skills training to support a transition to clean power with "thousands" of new jobs.

Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire were identified as key growth regions for clean energy.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.