Marvin OnumonuHumber 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.”
The partnership with the Humber Principals Group connects Humber Freeport with colleges across the region, such as Hull College, East Riding College, Bishop Burton College, Wyke Sixth Form College, Wilberforce College, Franklin College, DN Colleges Group and John Leggott College.
Debra Gray, chair of the Humber Principals Group and principal of Hull College, said: “As a partnership, we recognise the Humber as an integrated economic unit.
“Skills must transcend geographical boundaries, focusing instead on the industries and sectors which will drive growth and, in turn, create new job opportunities.
“When I first came to Hull College four years ago, Humber Freeport was in its infancy.”
Gray added: “The impact it has made in recent years, stimulating inward investment and unlocking key development sites, will be transformational for our region.
“I’m delighted to be able to announce this partnership, which will foster pan-Humber collaboration to drive skills development and play an important role in future-proofing our young people.”
Humber Freeport aims to create 7,000 skilled jobs through investments at its three tax sites in Hull, Immingham and Goole.
Big investments have already been announced, including Finnish manufacturer Metsä Tissue’s new tissue paper mill in Goole, which will create more than 400 jobs.
At the Hull East tax site, Mitsubishi Chemical Group is expanding its Saltend Chemicals Park facility, and Siemens Gamesa has put £186m into its offshore wind turbine blade factory at Alexandra Dock.
At the conference, Humber Freeport and Hull College asked delegates about the most needed skills for the region.
Answers included artificial intelligence (AI), thermodynamics, tech adoption, port operation efficiency, communication and digital skills.
