Energy company Drax has signed a £180,000 five-year partnership with Selby College in Yorkshire to boost skills and training in clean energy.
The partnership will enable the college to deliver community education programmes, as well as support for retraining, to ensure students are developing the skills needed in innovative clean technologies necessary for a zero carbon economy.
Drax Power Station plant director Bruce Heppenstall said: “Through this partnership with Selby College we are looking beyond the Covid crisis towards a green economic recovery, powered by talented people and exciting, innovative technologies, like BECCS which Drax is pioneering.
“This partnership with Selby College will help people in our communities to learn the skills needed to pursue jobs in the green economy, and enable companies like Drax to continue to grow, and build a strong regional economy with thriving communities.”
Selby College been educating students in North Yorkshire for more than 35 years.
Selby College principal and chief executive Phil Sayles said: “We are delighted to be launching this partnership with Drax.
“Selby College is committed to supporting the community and has a strong track record of working with industries to understand their needs and develop tailored training packages to support workforce development.
“Creating education programmes that support upskilling and retraining are crucial for the UK as we look to the future, creating a green workforce that employers like Drax need.”
The package of support from Drax will allow the college to hold a series of events starting with a virtual conference on green energy in the spring and invest in ICT equipment.
Nigel Adams, Member of Parliament for Selby and Ainsty, said: “This is a perfect partnership, Drax at the forefront of developing and introducing new technologies for zero carbon energy generation and Selby College at the forefront of providing students with the knowledge and skills on which to build a successful career.
“I know both organisations very well and supported Drax in the conversion to green energy generation and must thank Selby College for their long-standing commitment to local employment including apprenticeship training and hosting my jobs fairs.
“This partnership will open up new opportunities for local people and enable them to develop the skills needed for our future. They will both continue to have my full support.”