Hull College launching new £5m Greenwave training centre to help power Humber’s low-carbon future

Hull College is opening a landmark new £5 million green energy training centre, creating industry-leading learning environments to equip the next generation of skilled workers for careers in the low-carbon economy.

The state-of-the-art facility, called Greenwave, will further strengthen the college’s position as one of the UK’s leading providers of green skills education and training.

Opening this September at the main city centre campus, Greenwave will feature facilities and specialist equipment focused on renewable energy, heat pumps, hydrogen technologies, electric vehicles, carbon capture, sustainable construction and advanced engineering.

The centre, which has been made possible through £5 million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, forms a key part of the college’s long-term ambition to establish itself as a world-class leader in green skills education, technical training and workforce development.

As the principal vocational and technical education provider in the region, Hull College already delivers more than 145 green skills-linked courses and has trained over 2,700 learners in green skills over the past year alone.

Greenwave will further expand the college’s ability to deliver industry-led training aligned to the Humber’s growing demand for skills linked to offshore wind, decarbonisation, retrofit, sustainable construction, advanced manufacturing and future energy technologies.

The facilities and specialist equipment within the centre will include:

• Air source and ground source heat pump training systems
• Solar PV and solar thermal training equipment
• Wind turbine and renewable energy technology simulators
• Hydrogen fuel cell training technology
• Specialist welding equipment linked to carbon capture infrastructure
• Smart building and energy efficiency technologies.

Greenwave will also support the continued expansion of curriculum pathways from Entry Level through to Higher Education, enabling learners of all ages and backgrounds to access careers within the green economy.

Debra Gray CBE, Principal and CEO of Hull College, said: “The opening of Greenwave will be hugely significant, not only for Hull College and learners, but for employers and the wider Humber region.

“The Humber is leading the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy and the demand for highly skilled people has never been greater. Our role is to ensure people across the region have access to outstanding facilities, industry-led training and clear pathways into the careers that will shape the future, aligned with national priorities.

“Greenwave is a visible demonstration of our commitment to investing in the very best learning environments and ensuring our curriculum continues to evolve alongside industry. From Entry Level through to Higher Education, learners will be able to develop the knowledge and technical skills employers are looking for now – and will be in the future.

“We have always been ambitious for Hull College, and this outstanding training centre is another major step towards establishing ourselves as a world-class provider of green skills education.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome learners through the doors in September and to continue supporting the Humber’s position as a leader in clean growth and renewable energy.”

The college’s successful funding bid was supported by 29 industry partners from across the Humber, reflecting widespread confidence in its vision for developing the region’s future workforce.

Greenwave has been welcomed by Hull and East Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (HEY LSIP), which was set up by the Government and brings together employers and training providers to ensure current and future workforces are equipped with the skills and attributes that meet the region’s needs.

Rod Chambers, Project Lead for HEY LSIP, said: “It’s fantastic news that Hull College is again moving forward with major investment which will provide big opportunities for people to learn and master the skills that employers need as they work to strengthen our region’s position as a leader in green energy.

“The whole green skills sector has been identified by HEY LSIP and its partners as something which is vital to all businesses. Hull College is a key partner of the LSIP, holding a place on our board and playing a significant part in our activities and events, and we see the Greenwave training centre as an exciting addition to the facilities.

“We look forward to working with Hull College to promote Greenwave’s services and facilities to employers and to learners.”

Dr Diana Taylor, Managing Director of Future Humber, the independent pan-Humber place partner, said: “The Humber's future will be shaped by the skills of its people. As investment continues across our nationally significant energy, manufacturing and industrial sectors, ensuring we have the workforce to meet that demand is one of the biggest opportunities facing our region.

“Greenwave is a fantastic example of education and industry coming together to equip people with the skills employers need, while opening up exciting career opportunities for learners of all

ages. It reflects the ambition we continue to see across Humber to invest in people, strengthen our economy and ensure local communities benefit from the opportunities being created here.”

Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, added: “It’s vital that an institution like Hull College is leading the way in developing the skills our industries need, helping local businesses to grow while creating life-changing opportunities for young people across our region.

“This investment is a powerful demonstration of the college’s commitment to preparing learners for the careers of the future, as well as ensuring our workforce has the skills to meet the demands of a rapidly changing economy.

“Hull College’s ambition to be recognised as a world-class provider shows exactly the kind of confidence and vision our city should have. That level of excellence is not beyond our reach – it’s what Hull deserves, and it demonstrates that we can compete with the very best on the global stage.”

To learn more about Hull College’s industry-led education, visit https://www.hull-college.ac.uk