Energy company Drax has committed itself to continue training and upskilling locals from North Yorkshire after signing a £180,000 deal with Selby College.
The company, which operates the Drax Power Station in Selby, has signed a five-year partnership deal that will allow the college to deliver community education programmes in the region.
The scheme will allow students, as well as adults wishing to retrain, to develop the skill they need to join the clean technology sector.
Currently, the company is focused on upgrading Drax Power Station so that it can use sustainable biomass instead of coal. It is the largest decarbonisation project in Europe and the Uk's largest single site renewable power generator.
Bruce Heppenstall, Drax Power Station plant director, 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.”
The partnership has been welcomed by Selby College, which will now be able to use the funds to train students for jobs in industry.
The funding will be used to:
- Hold events to inspire students to pursue careers in the energy sector. This includes its virtual conference on Green Energy in the spring.
- Invest in IT equipment to allow students to work from college and at home.
- invest in state-of-the-art equipment over the next five years.
- Purchase PPE equipment for students.
Phil Sayles, principal and chief executive of Selby College, 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.”
Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, added: “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.”
