Thames Freeport secures over ?1million in awards for skills fund

THAMES Freeport is proud to announce the award of substantial funding totalling GBP1.2 million to support its Skills Fund, a critical component of the "Skills for the Future" campaign. This funding will significantly enhance workforce development and upskilling initiatives in the region, driving economic growth and preparing the local workforce to meet the demands of the rapidly expanding Freeport.

The Thames Freeport Community Skills Fund, established as part of Thames Freeport's ongoing commitment to economic regeneration, aims to create a highly skilled workforce capable of seizing new opportunities within the Freeport zone. This recent funding will support a diverse range of training programs, apprenticeships, and upskilling initiatives across key sectors, including logistics, manufacturing, and green technologies.

Martin Whiteley, CEO at Thames Freeport outlined that these funds were part of a wider strategic investment for the freeport and the huge potential. He stated that:"These skills projects support the wider ambitions to build opportunities for sustainable, employment led, and inclusive 21st century city. The Freeport has a mission to create inward investment and new high-quality jobs that directly benefit the local community"Key Objectives of the Skills Fund:

Empowering the Local Workforce: The fund will finance tailored training programs designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills for high-demand roles within the Freeport. This initiative ensures that local residents can fully capitalise on the new job opportunities created in the region.Boosting Innovation and Competitiveness: By fostering expertise in cutting-edge sectors such as advanced manufacturing, advanced logistics, and green energy, the Skills Fund will contribute to Thames Freeport's ambition of becoming a leader in innovation and sustainable development. Promoting Inclusive Growth: The awards will also support initiatives aimed at improving access to training for underrepresented groups, ensuring that the economic benefits of the Freeport are widely shared across the community.

Stuart Rimmer, Interim Skills and Employment Director of Thames Freeport, commented,"These awards represent a significant milestone in our mission to build a vibrant, skilled workforce that will underpin the success of Thames Freeport. We are dedicated to ensuring that the Freeport's benefits are accessible to all, and the Skills Fund is a vital part of this vision." The Thames Freeport Skills Fund is already yielding positive outcomes, including investments in the South Essex Advanced Technical Skills (SEATS) to develop higher apprenticeships in key sectors.

This new funding will allow for the expansion of these efforts, reaching more individuals and creating pathways to employment in high-growth industries. Continuation funding for SEATS has been awarded to develop new programmes in degree apprentices with local companies.John Tabor, Chair of the SEATS board said:"This funding is crucial to continuing to grow and enhance the SEATS offering over the next months, maximising our impact to building industry-ready skills, delivering competitive capability, employment and growth in the South Essex area. The SEATS team have worked closely with local business and prospective employers to identify skills and capabilities required in the coming years and developing partnered offerings to deliver them."There have been thirteen awards made including to Tilbury Library to increase opening hours and skills programmes in digital and work readiness.

Cllr Val Morris Cook, Thurrock Council's Cabinet member for Community Partnerships, said: 'We welcome this funding which is a good example of the advantages of having a Freeport in the borough. The money will help the library stay open for longer so the local community in Tilbury can access the broad range of programmes on offer and ensure they are in the best possible position to take advantage of future opportunities the Freeport will bring to the area. Other awards include:London Borough of Barking and Dagenham - Developing and delivering logistics in Barking and Dagenham and construction entry levelLocal London Skills Providers Network c/o LSEC - Green Skills Project Funding- micro credentials and addressing tutor shortagesNew City College - Food and Drink Engineering and Sustainability in Thames FreeportUSP College - Creating a Logistics & International Supply Chain (skills and curriculum) to support PortsPlymouth Business School and Port of Tilbury Skills accelerator and Innovation InitiativeSoutheast Institute of Technology with regional Institutes of Technology New Hydrogen Skills training coursesCoventry University - Bootcamp for Power Electronics Fundamentals, Electric Motor Fundamentals and Battery AssemblyOne Community Development Trust - Head start to Employment ProjectThurrock CVS - Developing Strategy and leadership capacity within the voluntary sectorCEME - Green Skills Showcase for teachers and childrenYoung Enterprise - Delivery of Future Pathways to employmentPrimary Engineer- The Primary Engineer Construction ProgrammeMatt Hamnett, Thames Freeport Non-Executive Director said;"To realise our high ambition for the freeport we must invest in skills and training - both working with business to ensure that we create the talent pipeline they need to succeed, and with communities to ensure that through the Freeport we change lives.

This first round of investment demonstrates the Freeport's potential, and determination to deliver real social and economic impact".