Following the opening of the Welding and Pipefitting Hub in September 2024, the next stage of the CATCH expansion programme has been granted planning permission. The new development includes an Industrial Decarbonisation Centre and a new build Renewable Energy Training Centre, both set to officially open in early 2026. Supported by investment from partners Viking CCS members Phillips 66 Limited, Harbour Energy, Drax Group and Associated British Ports (ABP), plus Air Products and Uniper, alongside funding from the Humber Freeport.

These new facilities will further strengthen CATCH’s position as a leading hub for skills training and development in the region. As industries move towards the clean power mission these centres will equip the current and future workforce with the skills required for the evolving sector.

David Talbot, CEO of CATCH said, “These developments mark the next stage in our plans to train 1000 apprentices per year by 2030. Partnership is what makes CATCH different, we leverage knowledge gained from our members and stakeholders, to find out exactly what industry really needs now and in the future. By collaborating across our skills eco-system, from our outreach and engagement work to supporting the community to the upskilling of adults – we can contextualise and provide up to date training across the sector. We are immensely grateful for the ongoing support of our investors in making this vision a reality.”

The Renewable Energy Training Centre will offer hands-on training for technicians and operators, with new purpose built workshops, classroom space and common areas. While the Industrial Decarbonisation Centre, will feature a lecture theatre, inward investment suite, AR/VR capability as well as upgraded reception, office space and breakout areas for networking.

Simon Green, CEO of Humber Freeport, said:

“To decarbonise the Humber’s industrial cluster and transition to a net zero economy, we need the right people with the right skills and expertise.

“Facilities like CATCH are absolutely vital to equip our future workforce with the capabilities and the confidence to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving and growing green skills sector.

“The strength of CATCH’s proposition is underlined by the breadth of cross-sector support and funding from industry and partners. Through the Freeport’s Seed Capital Fund, we were delighted to play our part in the next exciting chapter of CATCH’s story.

“As the Humber accelerates towards low carbon technologies and innovation, CATCH will serve as a centre of excellence for clean energy, connecting industry with a pool of highly-skilled people ready to drive sustainable, green economic growth.”

Paul Fursey, Lead Executive UK & General Manager, Humber Refinery at Phillips 66 Limited said:

“The establishment of the Industrial Decarbonisation Centre and the Renewable Energy Training Centre at CATCH represents a pivotal step forward in enhancing skills development in the Humber region.

“Our recent investment in the training centre not only reflects our ongoing collaboration with local industry to support future growth and innovation but also fortifies the region’s economic resilience as we transition to a lower carbon economy”

Richard Gwilliam, Chair of the Humber Energy Board and UK BECCS Programme Director at Drax Group, said:

“The Humber is the UK’s biggest decarbonisation opportunity and CATCH has a critical role to play in developing the pipeline of talent our region needs to deliver on our green growth ambitions.

“We’re pleased to see that CATCH’s Industrial Decarbonisation Centre and Renewable Energy Training Centre have secured planning permission and are moving closer to construction. These facilities will equip current and future workers with in-demand skills that can lead to long-term careers in the Humber and globally.”

For more information about the upcoming expansion or to inquire about training opportunities, please contact CATCH directly at – info@catchuk.org

On the 26^th March, Professor Joe Howe, welcomed delegates both online and in person to the CATCH Industrial Decarbonisation Network, sponsored by Equilibrion.

Phil Rogers introduced his company Equilibrion and gave an introduction to nuclear energy in the UK, including the context around nuclear ambition and the role of Great British Nuclear – which is there to drive development in the industry.

Phil presented further details about the Siting Study.  The aim is to support a large region, spanning West to East Midlands up to the Humber, in understanding the potential opportunities for the siting of new nuclear generation and what the benefits could provide.  They initially identified over 80 possible sites to be further refined to create a short list.  Phil discussed potential benefits including growth in skills, abundant supply of heat, and clustering around energy generators and opportunities for private wire networks. The report is due to be launched end of April, early May.

Phil then highlighted a new project that is looking at the possible use of nuclear power as a method of delivering the future increased demand in hydrogen production.  This project will also explore the opportunity for hydrogen production from nuclear to support a net zero transition across the gas network, in collaboration with northern gas networks (NGN and Wales and West Utilities).  Phil concluded his presentation by introducing Eq.flight – a proposal for low carbon aviation fuel from nuclear energy.

Next Joe introduced Matthew Collinson, Lead Officer – Economic Growth Projects at North Lincolnshire Council.  Matthew opened his talk by exploring Green Steel and the UK Steel Strategy.  He explained the traditional process of making steel (oxygen steelmaking) and the green steel process using Electric Arc Furnace.  Matthew advised that in February the government announced their steel strategy: the plan for steel consultation.

A British Steel planning application, that was submitted in Jan 24 has been approved to develop a single 130 tonne EAF facility using their existing site in Scunthorpe.  £1.25bn will be invested to transform British steel into a clean, green sustainable business.  North Lincolnshire Council, alongside three other Humber Local Authorities have, committed to the UK Steel Charter, which is a commitment to procurement practices to include more UK made steel to support the economy.

Matthew told the group that NLC are seeking to develop a green growth policy that will allow for the enhancement of existing investments into manufacturing green energy projects, alongside local and combined authorities, to support new inward investment opportunities. Whilst supporting the existing energy and decarbonisation initiatives.

Lastly Matthew gave an update on The Northern Lincolnshire Artificial Intelligence (AI) Growth Zone.  This project will bring forward extensive infrastructure capable of delivering more than 1.5 gigawatts of AI processing power.  The zone is planning for 4 campus sites in Northern Lincolnshire that are deliverable before 2030.

After the break, Katie Privett, Regional Insights Manager at Northern Powergrid presented New Distribution Future Energy Scenarios 24-2050.   Katie introduced Northern Power Grid, the organisation that moves energy through the North East, Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire areas.

The DFES outlines the expected demand, flexibility and distributed generation and battery storage update up to 2050, through modelling and using local plans.  From 2024 this includes more local engagement, planning, housing, employment land and large demand generation.  Northern Powergrid encourage stakeholders to participate in their forecasts to align with local and regional plans and help prioritise areas for investment.  Katie explained they use that data to ensure network capacity is available to support regional demand.

Katie highlighted that peak demand has been reducing since 1980’s, partly due to energy efficiency in modern household appliances and in part due to de-industrialisation.  More recently we can see an upturn in peak demand and expect this to continue to rise due to electrification technologies.

All speakers took questions and Joe thanked the speakers and delegates for their participation.

The date of the next meeting is Tuesday 3rd June, during Humber BizWeek, taking place at Aura Innovation Centre.  Registration details will be out soon. Please contact katie.hedges@catchuk.org for further information about exhibition space.

The University of Hull and CATCH have announced plans to collaborate on a series of key opportunities to expand the skills and research landscape in the region.

The two organisations have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support talent development and research initiatives.

As part of this collaboration, the University of Hull and CATCH will work together on several key initiatives, including:

• Developing joint training opportunities, including Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes and short courses tailored to CATCH industry members.
• Exploring opportunities for University of Hull students to utilise CATCH facilities as part of their curriculum development.
• Seeking joint research funding to advance industry-led projects.
• Identifying opportunities for joint Knowledge Exchange funding to support collaborative innovation.
• Enhancing apprenticeship programmes to bridge the gap between academic study and industry practice.
• Organising training days focused on project practice and data analysis.

These initiatives aim to provide students and industry partners with hands-on experience and collaborative opportunities that support career development and innovation at the same time as strengthening the links between academia and industry to drive innovation and workforce excellence

Professor Fiona Matthews, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research an Enterprise at the University of Hull, said: “Fostering collaboration between education and industry is vital in driving sector-wide growth and sustainability.

“We are thrilled to formalise our partnership with CATCH, an organisation that shares our commitment to developing industry-ready talent and driving forward innovation. This collaboration will provide invaluable opportunities for students, researchers, and industry partners to work together, ensuring that we continue to address the evolving needs of the sector and the region.”

CATCH is a leading industry-led not-for-profit training facility supporting the process, energy, engineering, and renewable sectors. Based in the Humber region it aims to ensure the regional workforce is equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for the future.

David Talbot, CEO of CATCH joined Professor Matthews for a signing event at the Enterprise Centre.

Mr Talbot said “This partnership enables us to help and bridge the gap between industry and academia. By combining the University of Hull’s academic capabilities with CATCH’s practical, hands-on approach to training, we are setting a new standard for excellence in industrial training. Together, we can create opportunities for students and industry partners, with the aim of preparing the workforce for the future.”

CATCH hosted the Major Hazards Group on Wednesday 19 March. The group is chaired by Dan Rawdin from SSE Thermal and was attended by over 25 delegates in person and online.

The first topic was Accident and Incident Investigation including Route Cause Analysis (RCA) led by Russell Page from Hayden Freeman Continuous Improvement (HFCI). Russell detailed how RCA can contribute to continuous improvement. How many RCAs are you doing? Each RCA presents opportunities to identify improvements and can chip away at performance improvement. More RCAs are better and so identifying resources/teams to carry these out is important. The group undertook the first exercise to identify pros vs cons of team-based vs individual based approach to RCAs. Russell reflected on management systems and how they drive improvement.

After a break the group undertook a second exercise to test the groups ‘system 2 thinking’ to explore how we resist engaging intuition and gut feelings in favour of finding data, finding evidence and avoiding bias. Russell outlined the 5 whys prime tool for RCA noting how critical it is to define the system/problem/standard first.

RCA as a tool can move from reactive towards being proactive, by identifying common themes, trends and common failure modes.

The next speaker was David Cook from Tyr Law speaking on Protestor Injunctions. David outlined the features of protest including reasons such as climate change, the act of protest such as placards, noise or other disruption and usually seeking publicity. How do businesses manage through these times of change in society. David described the tactics of the campaign group Just Stop Oil and the impact they had on COMAH sites.

Tyr were able to advise their clients on injunctions. These can be obtained fairly quickly in a matter of days. They can also be triggered by police intelligence of a future protest and can cover multiple sites under threat. The injunction needs to be served on persons unknown through clear signage at the site and allow easy access to the court materials to explain the injunction in detail. David explained the circumstances under which an injunction would be considered and what other measures would be taken, such as increased or improved security & CCTV. Injunctions are usually reviewed annually. The more recent tactics of JSO has been to target sporting events and art galleries, potentially because the oil sector has put effective deterrents in place.

CATCH facilitate a range of networks to support our members, the full programme can be viewed here https://catchuk.org/catch/events-and-networks/

If you are interested in attending our networks or need more information about membership please contact katie.hedges@catchuk.org

CATCH hosted their Cyber Security (OT) Network on 5^th March.  Adam Chapman from Tronox chairs the group and welcomed over 30 delegates to the meeting and introductions were made.

The agenda was reviewed and the group Terms of Reference was approved.

The first speaker was Mark ‘Magpie’ Graham from Dragos who gave a presentation on 2025 OT/ICS Cybersecurity Briefing.  Magpie highlighted that the current geopolitical climate is driving increased concern for cybersecurity in industrial environments.  Magpie explored the range and complexity of threats including tracking of 24 named threat groups and over 30 hacktivist groups claiming OT impacts.

Magpie detailed several recent attacks including malware multistage attacks such as FUXNET & FrostyGoop.  The convergence of hacktivism and state-sponsored threats was mapped and discussed.  New threat groups were reviewed including GRAPHITE.  The recommendation was shared to initiate proactive threat hunts to identify unauthorised SSH and PPTP communications.  Tactics, tools and procedures were discussed.  Magpie concluded with advice on the 5 ICS cybersecurity critical controls.  Magpie took questions.

After a break, Lambda and Tronox gave a joint presentation.  Adam, Tony and Sherol gave a detailed input with some content restricted on sharing afterwards.  Adam outlined the objectives and design targets to develop a high level design document.  Tony described how to map out the cybersecurity lifecycle of an OT site.  Sherol described how to secure senior stakeholder buy in to be clear about the project and what input was needed.  A workshop kicked off the programme to identify who would be included and developed a collaborative approach.  This required coordination across countries and time zones.  Tony & Sherol described some of the project challenges and solutions, for example procurement, transport and logistics and third-party vendors.  A Q&A session followed the presentation.

The group discussed the next 5 day training opportunity with ISA at CATCH in late April.  Places are still available to book.

The next meeting will be held on 11 June, for more information about this and other CATCH networks please contact katie.hedges@catchuk.org

CATCH is thrilled to announce that on the evening of the 11th March, at a glittering awards ceremony in Liverpool, they became the 2025  Training Provider of the Year!

The Apprenticeship and Training Awards celebrate the exceptional achievements of employers and training providers across the UK, recognising their vital role in developing a skilled and diverse workforce.

Director of Education and Training, Paul Robinson, said, “We are absolutely delighted to win this prestigious national award. This award celebrates our journey and commitment to providing first-class industrial training for all. From our engagement with schools and the community to our relationships with employers and investors, to delivering our premium apprenticeships and adult skills in our real-world environment – we are proud to contribute to the development of skilled professionals in the renewable, energy, process and engineering industries. We have built a thriving local skills eco-system to be proud of”.

Under the leadership of CEO, David Talbot, CATCH has set a benchmark in delivering high-quality, industry-led apprenticeship programs that not only meet but exceed industry standards. The award reflects the organisation’s dedication to creating a learning environment that equips apprentices with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the rapidly evolving sector.

“This national award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team at CATCH,” said David. “We are committed to providing exceptional training experiences that prepare our apprentices and adult learners for the industry of tomorrow. We’re not just teaching skills; we’re building the foundation for careers that will shape the future of our industries”

Industry and place-led, CATCH is different, all courses are taught by ex-industry tutors coupled with hands-on training, delivered in state-of-the-art facilities. This approach ensures that all apprentices receive an education that is both comprehensive and directly applicable to real-world scenarios.

Over the past year, CATCH has expanded its facilities, with the support of Viking CCS members Phillips 66 Limited, Harbour Energy, Drax and ABP together with Air Products, Uniper, the ECITB and Humber Freeport, with the opening of the largest welding and pipefitting training facility in the UK. They are continuing their expansion in 2025/2026, with the opening of a new Industrial Decarbonisation Centre and a Renewable Energy Training Centre, reflecting the organisation’s responsiveness to the needs of the industry.

This accolade cements CATCH’s position as a leader in industrial training and development, who is committed to future-proofing the skills of an evolving industry. And, this award, makes the organisation a double award winner! Having previously won the prestigious ECITB Training Provider of the Year award in November 2024.

For more information about CATCH and its programs, please contact info@catchuk.org

CATCH hosted the Humber Human Factors Network on Wednesday 26th February 2025. The focus of the session was Fatigue Management, with guest speakers Professor Fiona Earle and Dr. Lea Freour from the Centre for Human Factors at the University of Hull. The event was chaired by Chris Marron from Yara, who welcomed over 20 delegates, both in person and online.

Fiona began by outlining how fatigue matters as it has implications for Health and Safety, as well as huge implications towards wellbeing. The first exercise the group partook in focused on Cause Vs Consequence of fatigue. Fiona showed how a Bowtie Model can help understand how to use control measures to prevent causes, and how mitigation measures limit consequences. Fiona went on to highlight the variety of causes of fatigue for different job roles, ranging from mental, physical, emotional and sleep related causes, as well as how hard it is to measure fatigue. She went on to state that effective management of fatigue requires requires exploration of causes and consequences just like any other health and safety risk.

The second exercise was a facilitated discussion around the factors that push us to work more hours and take greater risks with our work patterns and sleep schedules. In order to manage fatigue risks, organisations can access awareness training for managers and establish a risk management policy.

Training is available through the University of Hull, more information can be found here.

The key takeaway for delegates was that it is critical to foster a positive culture around fatigue and to improve recognition of the signs, causes and consequences.

The next Humber Human Factors Network will take place on Wednesday 18th June 2025, with a focus on Human Machine Interface.

For more details on this and other CATCH Networks, please contact katie.hedges@catchuk.org.

At CATCH Skills, we strive to provide quality and excellence across our Adult Skills Training Courses.

We offer both accredited and non-accredited courses across a variety of areas, including:

• Confined Spaces
• Electrical
• Health and Safety
• Mechanical
• Process

In addition to our extensive list of courses, we are also able to provide Bespoke Training Packages and Managed Service Contracts to ensure the best possible options for both individuals and companies.

However, as the world moves forward and the cost-of-living increases, we are in the difficult position whereby we will be changing the prices of our CATCH Skills Courses as of Tuesday 1^st April 2025.

The increase in price will allow us to continue to provide the highest level of training, competence and assessment possible, and continue to support our trainers and staff, all of whom have a vast wealth of industry knowledge and experience.

Our new prices are available to view on our website now, however, will not be enforced until 1^st April 2025.

Any courses booked before 1^st April 2025, irrespective of the course date, will be honoured with the current price of the course. 

For more information about our CATCH Skills Courses, and to book your place on any of our CATCH Skills Courses, contact the team at info@catchuk.org or call 01469 552840.

Hulking Humber bank process plants need to clean their operations up. New infrastructure is required at an eye-blinking scale to bring in greener fuels and extract the harmful emissions currently belching out from the sky-piercing stacks, burying them deep below the near North Sea instead.

Net Zero goes well beyond offshore wind here in the second most carbon intensive industrial cluster in Europe. And while polarised policies and pounds in the public’s pockets or funding pots get the headlines on the meandering route to a planet-friendlier future, it is the people it needs to deliver where a real shortfall is seen.

Successful decarbonisation, not de-industrialisation, is the prize the region has in its sights, and the critical mass is as much about the trades as it is the abatement of those fossil fuel fumes. Projects worth upwards of £18 billion are being eyed – jobs in the tens of thousands. Yet mechanical fitters, pipefitters, process engineers, project managers, designers, riggers and site managers are among the most difficult roles to fill, with ECITB research released last week revealing three quarters of employers are already struggling, above the national average.
Looking to solve this part of the equation, while supporting the work to win over hearts and minds about the Humber’s case for hydrogen, carbon capture and storage and further skills investment, is David Talbot. Chief executive at industry training centre Catch, he has just entered his 10th year at the helm of the Stallingborough facility.

When he joined it was a member organisation and landlord to other training providers, with a process unit to simulate with water and donated kit what was happening in closed environments in the near neighbourhood. It started life under the name Humber Chemical Focus, evolving to take the title of the facility, seen as unique to an industry keen to address that age-old skills gap – ever present without the demand now forecast by a project pipeline packed with ambition.

Mr Talbot, a former RAF squadron leader, had been a key figure in the emergence of BAE Systems’ Aircraft Maintenance Academy at Humberside Airport, and headed along the A180 to start the transition from landlord to training organisations, to an organisation training its own.
“The transition happened fairly quickly, Mr Talbot recalled. “In 2017 we set up our own provision with Catch Skills, adult skills provision in regulatory health and safety-type training, and it just took off from there.”
Catch was admitted to the Apprenticeship Register in 2021, and grand plans for the end of the decade we now sit in the midst of began to emerge.

“We, as Catch, delivered the Humber Industrial Cluster Plan – the roadmap to Net Zero – on which we worked with HEY LEP and key employers around the region, who became partners. It saw the carbon capture cluster sequencing projects Viking CCS and Humber Zero come together, and come to us, in what has now become quite a pivotal moment for Catch; to ask what it would take to go from 100 apprentices a year to 1,000.

“That was the headline message. And true to their word, that partnership of the key emitters, coupled with the Viking CCS programme, has led to a £1.2 million investment from industry, and on what we are now starting to work on, £4.5 million funding from Humber Freeport and £300,000 from ECITB, which has led to a whole phased programme that will get us to that 1,000.”

That programme started with a welding hub “something we could achieve quickly” which saw a fabrication workshop refurbished, providing the largest capacity for such training in England, with 79 bays. “It is a real game changer in terms of the regional output for welding, fabrication and pipefitting trades,” Mr Talbot said.

That’s just the start. Catch is now in the middle of a fifth phase of growth since opening in 2006. A new build Renewable Energy Training Centre will support wind turbine technicians, but the mechanical skills on offer will benefit all energy intensive industries on Net Zero journey.
It is with planners for the last plot on the current footprint, with an Industrial Decarbonisation Centre also in planning – a redevelopment of the original administration building to deliver networking, events and conferences, all encouraging the sharing of industry best practice. It will boast a 120-seater capacity theatre-style capability, with collaboration areas. Virtual and augmented reality will complement the hands-on facilities Catch offers.

“It is really exciting, it will help us to support the region to get to Net Zero, through support for inward investment, support for innovation and an expansion of our membership activity to deliver even more,” Mr Talbot said.

The final element is a brand new centre on the greenfield site, adjacent, with ambition to be up and running in 2029. The £60 million National Net Zero Training Centre concept was unveiled in September 2023. “That is the big prize, and there is a lot of work to go in on that one,” Mr Talbot said. “We’re just starting to plan that, and that’s a long-term aim.

“We’ve not stood still here, we can’t. We’ve already seen four phases of growth, and each time we have had a new phase, we have filled it and seen a need to expand further. For me that confirms our model is right.

“The message has been clear for some time. The Humber is the biggest industrial cluster in the UK, some 20 million tonnes of carbon are emitted every year, and we have got something like £20 billion of investment identified. You can’t build that infrastructure, operate it or maintain it, without the workforce. That’s what has been identified.

“We need 20,000 new engineering / construction trades people to build the infrastructure to get us to Net Zero. It is a transient workforce. If we don’t build that workforce now, we can have the best projects in the world, but we won’t be able to build them, and that’s what we’re here to support.”

And here is the dilemma. The Catch 22 perhaps, here in early 2025.

“There are great plans waiting for the green light,” Mr Talbot said, referring to the Humber’s overarching vision document. “A lot of the people we are developing will not work directly for the investing company though. Some will, but many will become part of the contractor workforce. Contractors cannot sign up to move ahead until the emitter has the green light. We are all waiting for the green light, getting that tier of contractors signed up, then we can deliver, but that means we are behind where we need to be. We are trying to pump prime the whole system here with that programme from industry, which is fantastic, but it is difficult and there are challenges.

“Our programme isn’t just about building facilities. We have that engine to deliver new entrants to industry, and not just apprentices. We also need to engage young people, make sure our message is getting out that we have some fantastic jobs, fantastic industries with full careers, that with a great trade behind them are well renumerated. We’re getting that out and have invested in a team to do that.

“There’s also the complexity of delivering an apprenticeship. It makes it difficult. There can be headcount issues, there will always be contractor/client relationship issues, and there is just a lot of red tape around delivery. We have got to look at different ways of solving that and helping employers take on the workforce that is needed.”

Awareness is working. “We are certainly getting enough people applying for our apprenticeships. We have 150 available at the moment, and we are getting 400 to 500 applications for those.” Diversity is increasing too, helped by programmes such as Women into Welding, showcasing potential and role models already out there.

The number of females enrolled across the past three years’ apprenticeships looks set to be eclipsed in the 2025 intake alone. “It has been an incredible period,” Mr Talbot said, buoyed by the recent £1 million ‘green skills’ pledge from Westminster to northern Lincolnshire too.

There’s also May’s regionalisation of adult education budgets to ponder too, with mayoral combined authorities coming to Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire.

“I definitely see devolution as a positive for the region, for this industrial belt around the Humber. We can set our own agenda, and it is important there are a number of cross-over organisations, the likes of Future Humber, Humber Marine & Renewables and critically the Humber Energy Board and Humber Freeport. They are absolutely key, and we will be working together and sharing that agenda. We need to make sure the voice of industry is joined up and heard.”
It isn’t all plain sailing when it comes to political intervention though, as the Budget has proven.

“It is a very difficult environment where you have a cap on what you can sell, yet all your supplier costs and employment costs are going up. It does make it difficult to deliver, and it makes it difficult to have a differentiator. For example, we offer added value courses. Our apprentices go out oven-baked ready to go. We will have delivered working at height and working in confined space training, but all of that eats into that very small margin we have got. It gets harder and harder to deliver because the cap doesn’t increase, and in one of the apprenticeships it has actually reduced. They should all be going up with inflation.”

But the funding was a shot to the arm, as detail is awaited, as the team – grown from 16 to 80 in Mr Talbot’s tenure – look to widen the offering further, embracing supporting trades to those at the forefront of engineering a clean future.
“That was great news,” Mr Talbot said. “It is important to understand what that really means and ensure that is used as efficiently as possible to make sure we do deliver that growth in the energy sector.

“The messaging is great that skills are important to deliver the Net Zero agenda.”

Industry insight: James Ward, managing director, F.E.S. (Ex) Ltd.

Electrical, instrumentation and mechanical services contractor specialising in process safety, integrity and compliance – with expertise in explosive atmospheres in industrial settings. Based in North East Lincolnshire.

How I see the skills situation:
The future demand for skilled trades in the electrical and instrumentation industry is set to surge, particularly in regions like the Humber. The ambitious infrastructure projects on the horizon will require a significant influx of skilled professionals, far exceeding the usual annual intake needed to replace the retiring workforce in existing operations and contracting companies.

At F.E.S. (Ex) Ltd, we are enthusiastic about the opportunities this presents. We believe we can contribute to this demand. However, we are also acutely aware of the scale of this and the need for businesses to collaborate more than ever before. Our focus remains on ensuring that our workforce is equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving industry, along with continued investment into our apprentices.
Biggest challenges? Industry perception and competition for talent. Many young people may not see E&I trades as attractive career options compared to other fields. This requires us to actively promote the benefits and opportunities within the industry, highlighting career growth, job stability, and the potential for innovation.

With multiple industries vying for skilled workers, we must offer competitive salaries, benefits, and career development opportunities to attract and retain top talent.
Why is the industry rewarding? The E&I industry spans various sectors, including energy/renewables, manufacturing, construction, and technology. This diversity allows professionals to explore different career paths and specialisations, keeping their work dynamic and engaging.
It is at the forefront of technological advancements too. Working in E&I means being involved with cutting-edge technologies such as automation, smart grids, and renewable energy systems. This constant innovation provides a stimulating work environment and opportunities for continuous learning

With the growing need for infrastructure development and maintenance, the demand for skilled E&I professionals remains high. This translates to job stability and numerous employment opportunities across different regions and industries.

There are also ample opportunities for career advancement within the E&I industry too. Companies like F.E.S. often provide training programmes, certifications, and professional development courses to help employees enhance their skills.

Industry insight: Richard Law, director of business development for Technica Ltd and managing director of Technica Measurement.

Multi-discipline engineering design, management and construction provider, specialising in control, functional safety, fiscal metering and flow measurement, headquartered in Grimsby.

How I see the skills situation:
It is widely accepted that the demand for people is going to be a key problem for the industrial and energy clusters across the UK, and the Humber region is no different. The push for a greener future will be underpinned by some of the largest infrastructure construction projects which collectively have not been seen in this country since the Industrial Revolution. Couple the requirement for people involved in the construction of these projects with the need to replace natural outflow of personnel who will still be required to operate and maintain our legacy infrastructure, and it is clear to see that finding the right number of skilled people is a significant problem.

Biggest challenges? Technica and our specialist subsidiary, Technica Measurement, are ideally placed to play a key role in both the development of new projects such as hydrogen networks, carbon capture and other novel Net Zero projects, as well as supporting existing infrastructure both in the Humber and across the UK, but to do so and to realise this, we need to have the people with the right skills.

Through my work as a director of Technica Group and as a board member of the ECITB, it is clear that we need to think differently to address the skills shortage. Recognising the connected nature of some competencies across the industrial sector and making it simpler to transfer from one industry to another, or opening up work-ready programmes to offer training and employment to ex-offenders – and those who have been out of work long term – are ways in which we can do things differently.

We must double down on our efforts to attract young people too. Having met with the ECITB’s Innov8 team, who represent the younger generations within the engineering industry, it is clear today’s school leavers are not going to be attracted simply by the offer of a job. They want to feel engaged, see a clear career path with real opportunity for progression, undertaking meaningful work and gaining rewards which are more than simply salary-related.

The work of regional skills hubs, and specifically at Catch within the Humber, is going to be key to opening up these career routes, ensuring we stand the best possible chance of overcoming this significant hurdle.

Why the industry is so rewarding?
There can be a stigma attached to engineering careers and an incorrect perception that the work is perhaps boring. Coming from an engineering family, I have been around engineers all of my life, but from a career spanning almost 30 years, I can honestly say that no two days have ever been the same and I have had the pleasure to work with a diverse, hardworking and dedicated group of individuals, who have a silent pride in what they do.

There’s real social mobility. Growing up in an ex-mining town in South Yorkshire, I honestly thought that going to university was beyond my reach, but by being accepted onto a formal engineering training scheme, I went on to gain a Bachelors and then a Masters Degree in Engineering, have travelled all over the world and now find myself as a director of a business which plays a critical role in ensuring that we are able to heat our homes, that we have electricity, and that our industry has the energy it needs to keep the UK working. Most importantly, I am not unique, and within the industry and within Technica – from our Group Managing Director to many more of our employees – all entered the profession through formal training schemes.

Fred understands business. Fred understands the challenges, the opportunities, and the sectors that matter most. We provide director-led consultancy and marketing services across all forms of creative communications. Is it time for you to talk to Fred?
Email dave@fredmarketing.co.uk or call 01482 227227.

CATCH hosted the Humber Industrial Decarbonisation Network on February 5th. The group chair Joe Howe, Net Zero Professor at the University of Lincoln, welcomed over 45 members in the room and 46 members and guests online, to this thriving CATCH Network.

Joe introduced our first speaker Olivia Powis, CEO of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association. Olivia spoke about the CCSA and its work before explaining the history and support of CCUS in the UK and key developments since the change of government. The UK government, at pace, have been pushing changes, including the appointment of Chris Stark – mission control for clean power, a national wealth fund, launch of GB Energy and associated legislation, launch of NESO, plus they have committed £ 21.7 billion investment over 25 years to the first decarbonisation projects. The CCSA are in the process of preparing a Spring budget submission, urging the government to move forward with the carbon capture in the next industrial clusters. Highlighting opportunities and growth for UK PLC.

The CCSA launched a study in the European parliament in December 2024, that explored the benefits of opening a European-wide storage market, Olivia explained the multiple benefits including a 20% cost saving. REPORT LINK. Next Olivia discussed that supporting the Supply Chain and Skills are a real opportunity for the UK. However, the Government must act now and move forward with projects to enable supply chain and skills industries to have confidence and invest.

Next Joe introduced Amelia Mitchell, Managing Consultant with ERM, who spoke about their new Energy from Waste with CCS: a key pillar for NetZero in the UK report. Amelia explained, CCS is the only technology available to minimise EfW scope 1 emissions and generates valuable Greenhouse Gas Removals for the energy from waste sector.

The report mapped out a pipeline of opportunities for CCS in the UK. Identifying facilities and energy to waste assets across four stages. Deploying this across all stages will require 19 billion of investment – which is just the equipment. However, EfW will contribute 27% of the UK 2035 GGR target. Other benefits include 4800 construction jobs, 9350 permanent green jobs.

Amelia referenced the HICP document and how this supports the wider plans of imports of CO2 for storage to the Humber cluster from across the UK and Europe. And highlighted the importance of non-pipeline transport as 54% of facilities require non-pipeline transport to minimize cost of CCS. Transport methods include shipping at 41% and rail at 20%. These methods are a key enabler for energy from waste sector.

After networking and coffee break, Joe welcomed Tim Roff, United Living. Tim explained the United Living business, who work for UK owners and operators of UK pipeline infrastructure, assets and facilities. Tim explained that United Living are actively engaged in the hydrogen, CCS sectors across UK industrial clusters.

Tim then discussed how United Living are collaborating for skills and knowledge, participating in numerous boards and networks across the UK. Tim also explained how they collaborate for impact in regard to Environmental, Economy and Social impacts.

Next Tim discussed Hyrodgen Pipelines, connecting new produces with users. A first of the kind in the UK industrial clusters. The schemes that they are exploring are new build pipelines of 125km and 90km of pipelines within the HyNet cluster.

Next Tim introduced his colleague, Mike who spoke about CO2 pipelines – connecting emitters to new storage facilities. Mike explained about “Project 1” including enabling works that involve steel cross country pipelines, new build pipelines, re purposing sections to decommissioning assets. Mike discussed the challenges including the length of time of contract negotiations and delayed start of works and skill sets and consenting.

Joe closed the meeting with a reminder of the date for the next meeting – 26th March 2025. For more information, please contact katie.hedges@catchuk.org