Industry-led engineering programme launches in September, giving students direct access to technical skills, employer engagement and future apprenticeship opportunities

As the Prime Minister announces plans to transform technical education by creating new pathways for young people from the age of 14, CATCH and Healing Academy are already putting that vision into practice in North East Lincolnshire.

This September, CATCH will welcome the first cohort of Year 10 students onto a pioneering engineering programme that combines core academic study with real-world technical education, employer engagement and direct exposure to careers in industry.

The programme will see two cohorts of 14 students attend CATCH over a two-year period to complete a Level 2 Engineering qualification alongside their studies at Healing Academy. Students will gain hands-on experience operating process plant equipment, learning industry-standard health and safety practices, and working on real engineering challenges. They will design solutions to engineering problems before prototyping, building and installing their projects using mechanical, process and electrical engineering skills.

The launch comes just days after Prime Minister Andy Burnham unveiled reforms designed to give technical education equal status to traditional academic routes, enabling students aged 14 and above to study technical subjects linked to employment opportunities in their local area.

The idea behind the programme was developed long before the national announcement, following concerns that many young people with an interest in engineering struggle to access meaningful technical learning opportunities while at school.

CATCH developed the new programme to bridge that gap by creating an authentic engineering experience within a world-class industrial training environment.

Bob Padley, Head of Process and Maintenance at CATCH, said:

“When the Prime Minister spoke about creating technical pathways for young people from the age of 14, it immediately resonated with what we’ve been building here at CATCH.

The reality is that many young people know they want a technical career long before they leave school, but too often they struggle to access learning that reflects the opportunities available in industry.

This programme changes that. Students won’t be learning about engineering from a textbook or building bird boxes. They’ll be operating process plant equipment, solving engineering challenges, building prototypes and working in an environment that mirrors the workplaces they may eventually join.

For us, this is about creating a genuine talent pipeline, from Year 10 through apprenticeships and higher-level qualifications, while helping employers engage with future talent much earlier.”

Healing Academy is one of seven school and college partners that CATCH works with across the Humber and Lincolnshire region. Since September 2025, the partnership has continued to grow through a shared commitment to helping young people understand and access careers in engineering and manufacturing.

Throughout the past academic year, Healing Academy students have participated in a range of CATCH led experiences, including industry work experience placements delivered in partnership with Puragen and Lenzing, Trade Taster Days covering welding, pipefitting, process operations, mechanical and electrical engineering, sponsored by the Humber Energy Board, activity days in partnership with IChemE, Women in Welding events, and site tours designed to showcase the breadth of opportunities available within industry.

The partnership is already producing positive outcomes. Current Year 2 apprentices training at CATCH include former Healing Academy students, while 6 additional students from the school have secured apprenticeship opportunities and are due to begin this September.

Working closely with Steve Hoey, Careers Lead at Healing Academy, and colleagues across the school, the new programme has been carefully designed to ensure students understand the value and significance of the opportunity and the progression routes available to them.

Stephen Logan, Principal at Healing Academy, said:

“Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of comprehensive technical education reforms across England, Healing Academy is proud to be at the forefront of this national shift.

By partnering with a world-class organisation in CATCH, we are giving our Year 10 students the exact opportunity championed by these reforms: studying local, industry-linked technical subjects directly alongside their core academic learning.

Fully embedded into our curriculum and timetable, this pathway equips our young people with practical skills, opens direct routes into high-value apprenticeships, and addresses critical regional skill gaps in North East Lincolnshire.”

CATCH is now working with employers across the region to support the programme and strengthen the talent pipeline into local industry. The ambition is to create a clear learning journey that can take students from their first experience of technical education in Year 10 through to apprenticeships, higher-level qualifications and rewarding place based careers within the Humber’s industrial sector.

At a time when national policy is increasingly focused on the importance of technical skills, the partnership between CATCH and Healing Academy demonstrates that employer-led, locally relevant technical education is not a future aspiration but a reality already taking shape.

ENDS

CATCH welcomed apprentices, employers and industry partners from across the region this week as it hosted the prestigious WorldSkills UK regional heats for Welding and Metal Fabrication.

The three-day event brought together some of the most talented apprentices in the sector, providing them with the opportunity to test their skills under pressure and compete for a place in the national stages of the competition.

The competition programme saw:

• Day One – CATCH first-year apprentices compete in the Metal Fabrication competition.
• Day Two – More than 30 external competitors attend and compete in either Metal Fabrication or Welding competitions, including several returning second and third-year CATCH apprentices.
• Day Three – CATCH first-year welding apprentices compete against one another in the Welding competition.

The event was organised by  Paul Bryant leading the Metal Fabrication competition and Stephen Haymes overseeing the Welding competition.

The competitions were supported by industry sponsors, including Miganglia and Enginuity (EAL) for Metal Fabrication, and Code A Weld and Air Products for Welding.

Industry experts also volunteered their time as judges. Metal Fabrication competitors were assessed by Paul Bryant and Paddy Oakes (EAL), while Welding competitors were judged by Clive Slocombe (Code A Weld) and Chris Porter (Air Products).

Competition Results

Day One – Metal Fabrication

1. Eddie Keeble (Frogmech / CATCH)
2. Jamie Smith (PJD / CATCH)
3. Rhys Barnsley (PJD / CATCH)

Day One – Welding

1. Alfie Ingram (P66 / CATCH)
2. Fred Sriprasoet (PJD / CATCH)
3. Harvey Meadows (GPE / North Lindsey)

Day Two – Welding

1. Charlie Farrow (EFAB / CATCH)
2. Liam Lough (Bilfinger / CATCH)
3. Jack Watson (Bilfinger / CATCH)

Joel Broddle, Head of welding and pipefitting, CATCH, said:

“Its been a pleasure to be asked to host both regional finals for World Skills in Metal Fabrication and Welding over 3 days, this week. We’ve had some incredible success with the welding competition since we started in 2023 and it’s something we are hoping continues this year along with Metal Fabrication. Competitions and World Skills is a passion of the WPH team. It gives individuals an incredible opportunity to show off their skills and potentially compete against the best in the country and the world. Its not all about winning for us, we believe the competitions are a great builder of confidence and personal development for the apprentices. Whether its applying for a job, doing a trade test or completing a coding, the pressure is there as the apprentices start their career journeys. Competing in the competitions is part of the process to improve how they cope under pressure”.

CATCH continues to champion excellence in technical skills development, providing apprentices with opportunities to gain industry-recognised experience, develop their capabilities and prepare for successful careers in the UK’s engineering, energy and manufacturing sectors.

Over 80 delegates came together, in person and online for the HIDN, sponsored by The University of Hull, Apprentice Employment Agency and RAS.

Chair, Joe Howe, Net Zero Humber Professor, University of Lincoln opened the event and thanked sponsors.

First to speak was Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian, Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) University of Sheffield, who discussed opportunities for SAF in the Humber Industrial Cluster.  Prof Pourkashanian introduced SAF and what it is – a low carbon alternative to jet fuel. SAF can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emission by up to 70-80%. He discussed SAF production pathways and explained that SAF is an opportunity to reduce dependence on fragile supply networks – however SAF remains more expensive than jet fuel. He highlighted that the Humber matters as there is no other region in the UK that is better placed – industrial infrastructure, skilled workforce and CCS and hydrogen networks. He discussed the policy and government support such as the SAF mandate, AFF fund, and commercialisation pipeline. And presented the NEXTGEN-SAF case study, which aims to build the world’s first demonstration plant, including the challenges for SAF projects, only 1-20 SAF projects reach FID. He gave advice on how to ensure your project is successful, suggests a combination of policy, partnerships and project structure including the right feedstocks and the right infrastructure. Profs final point – The Humber does not need to wait!

After questions, Jade Fernandez, SSE then presented their Mission H2 Power R&D Programme. First Jade introduced the SSE drive to electrification, including networks, renewables and flexibility and the SSE Thermal network and the opportunity to decarbonise.  Jade then discussed the Humber Hydrogen programme with Centrica, Equinor and National Gas.  Jade then passed to Sue Beveridge, head of project engineering, who discussed the challenges of gas turbine technology, explaining why they need significant re-engineering of combustion systems, balancing performance, operability and fuel flexibility – Hydrogen and natural gas blends.  Next Sue discussed developing flexible, hydrogen ready power generation for deployment in this decade, and unlocking large scale hydrogen testing. Sue finished with hydrogen power is critical to a secure, net zero electricity system.

After coffee and networking, Oliver Orlik, SBTi, discussed their Science Based Targets Initiative. Oliver introduced the SBTi and advised that 13,270+ organisations have science based targets and commitments, with 91% of companies reporting targets have an overall positive impact on their organisation.  SBT is the first step for many organisations looking to reach net zero – which includes near term targets in the next 5-10 years and long term targets to be net zero by 2050. Oliver introduced their new standard to help companies take meaningful action and maximise the impact of SBT, and how to start and set targets – two routes, corporate and SME route. He discussed the methods, cross sector standards and sector specific standards and guidance. Oliver advised that the journey on average will take around 2 years to announce the target and inform stakeholders. Finally, Oliver signposted to SBTi free online academy.

Our last speaker, Sarah Duckering, University of Hull gave an update on the Local Innovation Partnership Fund (LIPF).  A brand new triple helix funding scheme – public sector, university and industry.  The LIPF initial bid focuses on industrial opportunity, to support places to increase their competitive advantage.  Government wanted to identify key regions, for innovative excellence. HEYCA, Universities of Hull & Lincoln and CATCH put in a bid, as did Teeside.  We were invited by UKRI to proceed with a joint bid for up to £30m, over 5 years. The money is secure, so long as we can put forward a coherent, Industry led, and industry match funded, pipeline of projects to put before UKRI for project approval.  Sarah advised that they are working though what a good project looks like across the regions, such as derisking anchor projects, cluster and ecosystem growth and R&D infrastructure development.  Please reach out to katie.hedges@catchuk.org if you are interested in the programme.

The event closed with lunch and networking with our sponsors.

A major £5M Humber Freeport funded industry collaboration space at the CATCH facility in Stallingborough has officially opened, further strengthening the role of CATCH as a hub for industry engagement, skills development and knowledge sharing across the Humber, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire regions.

The facility was formally opened by Simon Green, Chief Executive of Humber Freeport, alongside industry leaders, partners and regional stakeholders.

The centre will provide a hub for industry collaboration, member networks, conferences, education partnerships and skills development linked to emerging sectors such as hydrogen, carbon capture and renewable energy, helping to support new investment and job creation across the Humber industrial cluster.

Originally announced during a ground-breaking ceremony in 2025, the development introduces a modern space including a central atrium, lecture theatre, event and breakout areas, an immersive AR/VR suite, a dedicated member lounge and a new Humber Suite.

The project has been supported by more than £5 million of funding from Humber Freeport through its seed capital fund, alongside £1.8m of private sector investment and forms part of the wider CATCH expansion programme with partners Viking CCS members Phillips 66 Limited, Harbour Energy, Drax Group and Associated British Ports (ABP), plus Air Products and Uniper to scale up the training of industrial workers.

Katie Hedges, Chief Strategy Officer, said,

“With the support of Humber Freeport, we now have a facility that reflects the scale of ambition across our region.

“Our new centre represents an important investment not only in facilities, but in the strength of our membership community. CATCH was founded by industry for industry, and this space will allow our members to come together to collaborate, share expertise and shape the future of skills and industrial growth in the region”.

Simon Green, Humber Freeport’s CEO, said:

“CATCH’s new facility provides high-quality, modern spaces which will stimulate collaboration and innovation, bringing together industry and academia for the benefit of our young people and local communities.

“Through the Freeport’s seed capital fund, we were delighted to support the expansion and celebrate an important milestone in CATCH’s own story and growth.

“CATCH’s commitment to skills development, including being home to the UK’s largest welding training facility, is critical to our region’s economic prosperity and ensuring the Humber has a future workforce properly equipped with the right expertise.”

Paul Fursey, VP, UK Lead Executive, Humber Refinery said:

“The new collaboration space at CATCH is an exciting next step in this development, creating a safe and inspiring environment for apprentices to learn, grow, and collaborate while ensuring a pipeline of skilled talent to fuel the region.”

“The Humber is at the heart of energy and security resilience, and one way we can support this is by investing in future talent and creating opportunities necessary for them to thrive. By fostering an environment where skills are honed and innovation is encouraged, we ensure the region’s continued growth and contribution to the energy sector’s stability and advancement.”

Graeme Davies, EVP CCS Harbour Energy said:

“The opening of CATCH’s new centre represents an important investment in skills development and knowledge sharing across the Humber. CATCH plays a vital role in bringing industry together and helping ensure the skills and capabilities needed to deliver projects like Viking CCS are in place. Collaboration like this is essential to building a skilled workforce that can support the region’s industrial future.”

More than 90% of businesses are now committing to consider local and regional suppliers wherever possible when sourcing goods and services. This momentum has been further accelerated since the launch of The Supply Chain Promise in early 2025, an initiative introduced by The Supply Chain Network to strengthen connections between local suppliers and buyers across Yorkshire, Humber and Greater Lincolnshire.

A Growing Commitment to Local Supply Chains Since its inception, The Supply Chain Promise has seen incredible growth. Over 90% of businesses added to the Supplier Directory since February 2025 have chosen to make The Promise and proudly display the Promise logo on their listing. Many existing network members have since updated their profiles to join them.

Displaying the Promise badge demonstrates a business’s commitment to the local economy, net-zero ambitions and social value benefits through choosing local suppliers wherever possible.

A Free Platform Empowering Local Businesses The Supply Chain Network provides a free online platform designed to help businesses find opportunities, strengthen local procurement and grow their network. It includes: – The Supplier Directory – where businesses can promote their products and services and find new suppliers. – The Opportunities Map – helping organisations identify new contract opportunities. – The Supply Chain Promise – a public commitment to prioritising local and regional suppliers where possible.

Many organisations are incorporating The Promise into their internal processes, using it to reinforce Supplier Charters, Procurement Policies and Environmental Policies. By encouraging their suppliers to join The Supply Chain Network and sign up to The Promise, they are strengthening local relationships and demonstrating shared values.

Case Study: Hobson and Porter Hobson and Porter Construction Services is one business that has fully embraced The Supply Chain Promise. Joe Booth, Pre-Construction & Business Development Director, explained why the initiative aligned so well with their values:

“It ethically and morally sits well with our company. It’s a back-to-back mechanism for us. Because of the clients we have in the public sector, we have to source local and demonstrate sourcing locally. The Supply Chain Promise is going to be critically important moving forward, particularly around the new procurement act and also our social value mechanisms to show that we have done everything we can in a quest to source locally at the first opportunity.”

The Promise enables businesses like Hobson and Porter to demonstrate social value and environmental impact in tendering processes, highlighting their commitment to reducing emissions and supporting an environmentally responsible supply chain.

How The Promise Helps Businesses By signing The Supply Chain Promise, businesses can: – Identify themselves as part of a larger network committed to local supply chains. – Strengthen their reputation with customers, employees and suppliers as an ethical organisation. – Reduce costs by working with local suppliers and producers. – Access a wider network of regional suppliers who share a commitment to buying locally. – Demonstrate environmental and social value outcomes in tendering.

Displaying the Promise badge reinforces credibility and shows a clear commitment to supporting the regional economy and local communities.

A Call to Action for Local Businesses

“We’d recommend anyone locally, who is involved in the business community to get involved and sign up to The Supply Chain Promise. It’s more about cultural values for us and the willingness to enhance the local economy collectively.” Joe Booth – Hobson and Porter

Businesses interested in joining this growing community of organisations committed to strengthening local supply chains can create a new listing on The Supply Chain Network and sign The Promise.

Learn more: www.thesupplychainnetwork.co.uk

On Wednesday 18^th March, CATCH hosted the latest meeting of the CATCH Major Hazards Network, held at The Water’s Edge, Barton-Upon-Humber. The meeting was expertly chaired by Dan Rawdin, Risk and Process Safety Manager, SSE, who welcomed over 25 delegates both in-person and online.

Following introductions, the group first heard from Aimee Russell, Senior Analyst, RAS Ltd, who gave an insightful presentation on NaTech and Climate Change Risk Assessments, and why they’re so vital.

Aimee explained how detailed plans surrounding accidents and incidents caused by natural disasters is a requirement outlined in COMAH Regulations Schedule 3, as well as what a natural disaster in the UK may look like.

Aimee then continued by explaining the definition of a NaTech Event – a Natural Hazard-triggered Technological Accident and shared some examples with the group of such events that have already occurred in the UK, before explaining the importance on an Adaptive Management Cycle, and suitable considerations for emergency response if a NaTech Event were to occur.

Aimee concluded by taking questions from the group, before a brief coffee break.

The group then heard from Peter Davidson, Chief Executive Officer,  Tank Storage Association, who gave a presentation surrounding the Buncefield Disaster, 20 Years On.

Peter started by giving and insight to who the Tank Storage Association are and what they do, before giving an oversight of the Buncefield Disaster. Following conversations around the incident, Peter went on to discuss the progress that has been made in order to prevent an incident occurring in the future.

Peter concluded by giving an insight into what more can be done in the future, and how there are still some issues that are being reviewed and practices to be adopted. Peter finished by taking questions from the group.

Thank you to both Aimee and Peter for their insightful presentations, and to Chair Dan Rawdin. Thank you also to Water’s Edge for hosting the network and welcoming our in-person delegates.

The next meeting of the CATCH Major Hazards Network will be held on Wednesday 15^th July 2026 and will be a joint Major Hazards and Human Factors Conference at CATCH.

For more information about CATCH Membership and our other membership networks, please contact katie.hedges@catchuk.org.

On Wednesday 25^th March, CATCH held the latest meeting of the CATCH Humber Industrial Decarbonisation Network, which was kindly sponsored by Northern Endurance Partnership.

Chair Joe Howe welcomed over 60 delegates both online and in- person to the network, hosted at Aura Innovation Centre. This network was a special edition, sponsored by the Northern Endurance Partnership who provided a valuable insight with a variety of speakers.

First to present was Rich Denny, Managing Director of Northern Endurance Partnership, who opened by introducing the vision for NEP and why 2026 is an important year for the project. The UK was the first major economy to commit legally binding, economy wide Net Zero target by 2050 and Rich explained how the government have already committed to 2 CCS Clusters (North West and North East), and plan to commit to one more this parliament. CCS is key to stop Deindustrialisation and support energy security, and Northern Endurance Partnership is working at pace to FID in 2028 and be on stream in the Humber from 2032.  Rich highlighted that they are not in competition with Viking CCS – there are room for both initiatives in the region.

Following Rich was Sven van den Bedem, Humber Expansion Manager, who spoke about the Humber opportunity and how Humber is crucial to the UK for meeting NetZero targets. By setting up CCS and the endurance storage, this provides new opportunities for low carbon businesses in the region. The Humber Carbon Capture Pipeline (HCCP) is at pre-feed, with the offshore pipeline FEED having been completed, and the Endurance store is being appraised for expansion. The Humber has access to 66% of the UKs licensed stores – which are the size of Wales, with room to grow.

After Sven was Neal Gray-Wannell, CCS Network Developer for Northern Endurance Partnership, discussed the designs of the project and apologised on behalf of DESNZ who sent slides. Neal covered initial takeaways of the CCUS Humber Survey, to which 35 capture projects responded, who have a 35Mtpa* average and a 49Mtpa peak requirement for CO2 storage. With 21Mtpa storage required within the region from 17 projects. Neal then discussed some of the key lessons from the Teesside selection process.

Sven closed the first session by echoing that they are working at pace, then advised that the development cost is fully funded by the government’s approved project development plan, with over £200m already allocated for onshore and offshore scopes in 2026 and 2027.

Following a coffee and networking break, Iain Harris, Interim Managing Director with Humber Energy Board, opened by discussing that the HEB was set up to help deliver a cohesive voice for the fragmented region – both politically and regionally. Ian introduced the members of the HEB, and that NEP and a further 7 secondary members have recently joined. Ian explained that they are spending time engaging with regional campaigns, skills community, and re-enforced the message of the Humber opportunity as echoed by Rich, Sven and Neal.

Following Iain, Ian Livingstone, Head of Hydrogen and Ammonia UK, Equinor, introduced their blue hydrogen project at Saltend. H2H Saltend has completed pre-FEED and has full T&C planning permission. The project is ready to go and Equinor have a customer base ready to receive the CO₂, however they are missing the critical step of CO₂ transport and storage connection, either to NEP or another connection. Ian commented that other valid projects in the area are in a similar position.

Ian Elder, Onshore Humber Project Manager, NEP, followed Ian, who discussed where the project is today. Funding from the government is around £100M to be able to develop the Humber onshore scope to mid-2027, including how they cross the Humber Estuary and work with landowners. Horizontal drill testing is already under way, drilling from both sides of the river and meeting in the middle, and Ian is hopeful site activities will commence in late 2026. Next, Ian discussed that the development consent order (DCO) the statutory consultation was completed in Nov/Dec25 with 493 attendees, working through the feedback and comments. Environmental, archaeological and geotechnical surveys (53 of 70 boreholes completed) are progressing well and archaeological trenching works (circa 2000) are commencing next month. Ian explained that the aim is to enter into FEED for engineering in 2027 and kicking off FID contracting process in 2028. Ian said this is the start of a busy period for supply chain engagement, and that the framework is being worked on within the next 12-18 months.

The final speaker from Northern Endurance Partnership was Sharon Davies, Head of Communications and External Affairs, NEP, who began by sharing social value success stories from Teesside, such as more than 50% of £4 billion in engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts signed. Together with NetZero Teesside they are investing in skills, with 140 young people engaged. They have £2.5M set aside to support social value and are looking to replicate their success and projects into the Humber Region.

Following the presentation, Chair Joe Howe hosted a panel discussion with the event speakers, covering topics such as government, public and industry support. Topics and question also touched on well visibility and advocacy across the region, alongside more technical questions such as carbon footprint, current affairs, energy from waste, electrification etc.

Following the conclusion of the panel, Rich and Joe closed the meeting, thanking delegates for attending and igniting the spark for further discussion surrounding Northern Endurance Partnership and CCS in the Humber Region.

The next meeting of the CATCH Humber Industrial Decarbonisation Network will be held on Wednesday 3^rd June 2026 in our newly expanded CATCH Conference Centre.

For more information about CATCH Membership and our other membership networks, please contact katie.hedges@catchuk.org.

On Wednesday 11th March, CATCH held the latest meeting of their CATCH Cyber Security (OT) Network, kindly hosted at British Steel, Scunthorpe. The meeting is one of a suite of Industrial Membership Networks facilitated by CATCH, held exclusively for members in order to share ideas and hear from guest speakers.

The network was expertly chaired by Adam Chapman, Director of Cyber Security, Tronox, who welcomed over 30 delegates to British Steel for the session. Delegates heard from a selection of guest speakers, including Sam Longstaff, TekGem, Neil Bristow, Bristow Associates (UK) Limited and Rafael Baretto, ISA Europe.

Presentation topics included IEC62443 and recent changes, UK NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework, and also an improvement journey case study from a member company.

Thank you to all who attended to hear from the guest speakers; the next meeting of the CATCH Cyber Security (OT) Network will be held on Wednesday 8th July 2026 at CATCH.

For more information about CATCH Membership and our Membership Networks, please contact katie.hedges@catchuk.org.