Launch of Kirklees skills operator hub

On Tuesday 11 March, partners Kirklees College, Flannery Plant Hire and Kirklees Council celebrated the official launch of the Kirklees Skills Operator Hub, which is now on site at the college’s multi-million Engineering Centre in Huddersfield.

The Skills Hub, the fifth of its kind in the country, is a mobile unit that has two virtual reality plant machinery simulators, and classroom facilities for Skills Bootcamps. Next to the hub, the college’s land has been transformed into a live construction site with a variety of Flannery plant machinery for adult learners to operate on a live site environment.

Skills Bootcamps are short courses for learners aged 19+ to develop their skills in specific industries. The hub helps with the delivery of Skills Bootcamps in the construction industry, specifically in plant machinery operations, and can be attended by anyone, whether they are already working in the industry, or want to start a new career. Across the country so far, 1,400 people have taken part in Flannery run Skills Bootcamps, and the first intake of students in Kirklees will begin immediately. Collaborators Kirklees College and Kirklees Council have invested in the Kirklees Skills Hub as part of Kirklees Build, a regional project investing in construction industries, funded via the Dewsbury Town Board’s regeneration project.

Another big investment as part of the Kirklees Build project includes the college’s new facilities for construction at Springfield Sixth Form Centre in Dewsbury, where applications for courses starting in September are currently open.

In his opening remarks at the Operator Skills Hub launch, principal and chief executive of Kirklees College Palvinder Singh said: “This amazing new facility is a fantastic example of our mission ‘Creating Opportunities, Changing Lives’ in action. We are excited for lots of new learners to use the facility, equipping them with life-changing skills and empowering them in their careers.”

Director of Curriculum for Construction, Engineering and Land-Based studies at Kirklees College Steve Plumstead contributed: “We are incredibly excited to have this new facility at the college, and to be working with our partners Flannery Plant Hire and Kirklees Council. This will open many doors for people and is a fantastic new opportunity for our KC Community.”

Councillor Graham Turner, cabinet member for Finance and Regeneration at Kirklees Council said: “The Kirklees Skills Operator Hub is a game-changer for our community. It provides invaluable opportunities for individuals to gain practical skills and secure employment in the construction industry. We are proud to support this initiative and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our local workforce. This hub is a testament to our commitment to capitalising on the investment in Kirklees through our major infrastructure projects such as the Cultural Heart, Transpennine Route Upgrade, George Hotel and University Health Innovation Campus.”

Paul Skitt from Flannery added: "Flannery are delighted to be supporting the Kirklees Skills Hub and working with our partners Kirklees College and Kirklees Council. Our partnership with the College, Council, TRU, BAM and the wider supply chain will ensure opportunities are created for sustainable employment in Kirklees and the wider region."