North East England has today received a £6.2m boost to its low carbon economy as the Government’s Regional Growth Fund has awarded Gateshead College the large grant.
At the core of the successful bid is a plan to create 1,500 apprenticeships in the low carbon vehicle sector including the production of Low Carbon Vehicles.
Mick Brophy, managing director for business, innovation and development at Gateshead College said; “We’re delighted that our bid has been approved, it’s great news for Gateshead College but also for the growth and development of the region. This programme will take forward the work we’ve already started and firmly places us at the forefront of training for the renewable energy and low carbon sector. As the preferred training provider for Nissan UK and Smith Electric Vehicles we have a proven track record of delivering effective training in this field and have recently opened our Skills Academy for Sustainable Manufacturing and Innovation (SASMI), in Washington, which is the UK’s first training centre dedicated to the clean technologies sector. We also run a Performance Track designed for low carbon vehicle development, testing and trialling.”
The programme will be delivered using a unique model that will see public and private sectors, including universities and research centres, come together to create capacity and jobs in the North East. It will include the creation of 5,000 jobs over 10 years, of which 1,500 will be apprenticeships in sustainable manufacturing and electric vehicles specialisms, a dedicated Innovation Centre based at SASMI and curriculum development.”
The grant will help deliver:
The further development of Turbine Business Park – adjacent to the Nissan Sunderland plant
Developing skills at all levels including apprentices and workforce development and delivering new qualifications in the Low Carbon Vehicle field to ensure the region’s workforce can benefit from the opportunities within these sectors
Support the development of the Test Track and Low Emission Vehicle Development Centre as an R&D and training facility
Developing innovation in new LCV technologies by supporting business and university / college collaboration
Increasing support for the local supply chain to ensure they can access the existing £80 million of local opportunities
Dr Colin Herron, North East England Low Carbon Vehicle specialist, said: “This is a real boost to the region and cements our already international reputation in this field. As a region we have worked very hard to secure this investment which will bring massive long-term benefits to the region’s economy.”
“The Regional Growth Fund will be extremely important for the future of the automotive and low carbon transport industry in the region and will enable us to move forward as the best location for LCV development in Europe. The region already has an outstanding automotive sector and this fund will enable us to nurture and grow talent in this new, emerging and exciting sector.”
