Key workforce development projects have been awarded 拢1.2 million of funding in North East Lincolnshire, with a wide-ranging seafood sector bid leading the pack.
Central government cash has been drawn down for five initiatives from the 海角视频 Community Renewal Fund.
It is aimed at boosting job prospects and opportunity, while making Grimsby鈥檚 key sector more attractive and aligned to modern ways of working.
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A total of 拢433,510 has been secured by 海角视频 Food Valley Pilot for the seafood sector.
It will be used to test an innovative support programme to develop the industry鈥檚 skills, innovation capacity and ability to attract new talent, 鈥渉elping to ensure the position of Grimsby鈥檚 Seafood Cluster as a global hub鈥. It is supported by the University of Lincoln.
Dean of the National Centre for Food Manufacturing, Val Braybrooks, is working with Grimsby Institute, cluster representative Simon Dwyer of Seafox, and Seafish, the industry authority.
She said: 鈥淚t is a strong partnership of organisations well positioned to support the advancement of the seafood sector. It is delivered by a team of experts and is going to help address challenges of carbon reduction and net zero - a key goal for the seafood sector as well as the need to digitalise and respond to consumer demand and the social imperative of sustainable and healthy food by applying new technology across a range of areas. A parallel offer will be a skills programme, to ensure people are prepared to adapt to new technologies.
鈥淲e hope it can be an exemplar project and will help secure future investment as we go further.鈥
In the allied logistics sector, 拢214,922 has been awarded to Immingham-based Modal Training, a sister facility to Grimsby Institute under the TEC Partnership group. It will provide additional capacity to deliver the key qualifications required.
Mr Dwyer said: "The Seafood Grimsby & Humber Alliance and Grimsby Fish Merchants' Association boards have collaborated with the National Centre of Food Manufacturing on this opportunity to secure funding for primarily, but not exclusively, the members of both organisations.
"Our seafood processing cluster is the largest in Europe. The levelling up government funding will help the businesses throughout our cluster remain competitive, innovate and improve energy efficiencies, such as carbon targets. They will also receive first class business growth advice and, vitally, funded grants to purchase equipment towards these objectives.
"The impact of this will be felt by large businesses and the supply chain through to SMEs and our famous independent mobile fishmongers who travel the length and breadth of England each week selling fish and seafood that meets our #MadeGreatInGrimsby initiative credentials."
Also on the Net Zero theme, Smarter Energy North East Lincolnshire has obtained 拢300,000 to develop and test the feasibility of new approaches to SME engagement in energy reduction.
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Employment programmes at both ends of the spectrum have also received cash.
CPO and CatZero have been given 拢147,125 for an Inclusion into Employment Programme to work together to support people aged 16-plus into work through a bespoke programme of activities, while Reignite gets 拢199,849. It supports those aged 45-plus, who have found themselves unemployed due to the pandemic and helps them to secure employment by addressing the barriers to the labour market.
The Community Renewal Fund bridges the gap between European Structural Funds and the post-Brexit 海角视频 Shared Prosperity Fund.
North East Lincolnshire Council had invited organisations to bid in the spring of this year. Interest was received from 27 organisations, with 14 put forward. Deputy leader and portfolio holder for finance, resources and assets, Cllr Stan Shreeve, said: 鈥淭he news that these five have been successful is great. They are proven organisations with good records of supporting and helping people within our communities and we are pleased they will be able to continue that good work.鈥
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