The first organisation in the UK to offer integrated multimodal logistics training for sea, road, rail and air, as well as a full range of support services, was launched on October 1, 2015, at the Humber Royal Hotel in Grimsby, ABP says.
The new £7million centre of excellence for the ports, energy and logistics sectors is being jointly funded by the Grimsby Institute and the Humber LEP and is supported by industry leaders across the Humber region including those from Associated British Ports (ABP).
The centre will be based in 5,696 m2 of tailor-made facilities, housed in the former engineering works of Cofely Fabricom GDF Suez, on the corner of Kings Road in Immingham, North East Lincolnshire.
Mike Sellers, ABP’s Port Manager for Grimsby and Immingham, said:
“We’re looking forward to working with the Modal team to ensure that the programmes being developed meet our needs exactly. I urge other businesses to get in touch to discuss their own requirements. This is a unique opportunity to be involved in the creation of a centre of excellence for our sector.”
Equipped with state-of-the-art simulators for training maritime crew, truck and crane drivers, Modal Training will deliver realistic training, which replicates the working environment, in a wide range of settings. Facilities will include extensive warehousing, engineering and rail safety teaching facilities, and the UK’s only Air Freight Forwarding Academy.
Sam Whitaker, Vice-Principal for Strategic Projects at the Grimsby Institute and Board Member of Modal Training, said:
“The Humber is already home to the UK’s largest, multi-purpose ports complex which, for decades, has supported a growing trade in coal, cars, food, freight, passengers and petroleum. Now the region is set to expand again, as it takes on a new role as the international logistics hub for the emerging renewables energy sector.
“The task we have set ourselves is clear - to ensure that businesses operating in our ports, energy and logistics sectors have access to the training support they need to take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity. We intend to work with them to develop their existing teams, train new members and raise the profile of career opportunities in these sectors to facilitate future recruitment.”
The centre is on schedule for completion and full operation in September 2016.