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/
