Humber Freeport and Principals Group partner to tackle regional skills gaps

Humber Freeport and the Humber Principals Group have joined forces to focus on skills development and employer engagement across the Humber. 

The two organisations will work together to make sure the region has a workforce with the skills needed for economic growth, linking industry and education and helping young people find jobs.

The Humber Principals Group is made up of several colleges and college groups, teaching over 50,000 students. 

Partnering with Humber Freeport aims to give a clear picture of the skills employers and investors are looking for, so people in the area can train for jobs that are in demand.

The partnership was announced at the North Green Skills Conference in Hull, which brought together politicians, business leaders and academics to talk about how the North can reskill workers and meet what employers want.

Professor Neal Juster, interim chair of Humber Freeport and vice chancellor of the University of Lincoln, said: “To attract major inward investments, and support the growth of existing businesses, we need the right people with the right skills to create a pipeline of talent. 

“Partnerships like this are vital to help education providers shape their curriculum and courses to meet the specific needs of employers in the region. 

“Similarly, to retain talent in the Humber, we need the breadth of employment opportunities and careers to match the skills of our young people. It really is a two-way conversation.”