Colleges collaborate to launch Logistics Academy

June 29, 2015

St Helens College and Knowsley Community College are working in partnership to establish a Smart Logistics Academy which will provide much needed training facilities across the region to meet employer demand.

The Logistics Academy which is set to create a leading-edge learning experience and enhance the job prospects of learners in the region, is planned to open in September 2016 as part of a Liverpool City Region initiative to upgrade skills and provide a workforce for the future.

The project will see the refurbishment and reconfiguration of existing skills and training accommodation and will be co-located in St Helens and Kirkby.

The Logistics Academy is part of the Liverpool City Region pledge to invest £10.5m in a range of projects designed to develop the skillset of the region and is also part of the Liverpool City Region’s £232 million Growth Deal that was secured by the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in 2014.

Dr Jette Burford, Principal at St Helens College said, “The project,  which is part of a region wide initiative, will stimulate innovation and is crucial in order to deliver new education and training opportunities, specifically designed to support the region’s priority growth sectors. This initiative will enable both Knowsley Community College and St Helens College to develop opportunities for both young people and adults. The training and qualifications that will be delivered through the Logistics Academy will create pathways into employment through the development of traineeships, apprenticeships and higher qualifications to support the expected growth in the logistics sector”.

Cllr Phil Davies, Chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said “We are committed to ensuring we provide skills training which is aligned to the City Region’s priorities.  Through the Skills Capital Investment Fund, we can ensure our establishments offer the best environments and opportunities for learners across the City Region, and ultimately benefitting our businesses who will recruit highly skilled and trained staff.”

Anne Pryer, Principal of Knowsley Community College added, “Logistics is central to the dynamic growth of the Liverpool City Region and our work with key employers in this sector is guiding the development of the Smart Logistics Academy. Our aim is to  provide a pipeline for professionals to the sector over the next 20-30 years. The opportunities that this bid presents to young people and adults cannot be underestimated and we believe that the Academy will be truly transformational in creating an employer centred approach to skills development for logistics’