A bid to build a specialist logistics academy has been approved as part of the £232million Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Deal in Liverpool City Region. The academy is supported by logistics businesses including Stobart Group, Wincanton, Stena Line and the Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics.
The proposal was developed collaboratively by St. Helens College and Knowsley Community College.
The £3milllion academy, which opens in 2016, will combine the expertise of these colleges, as well as employers in the sector. The focus of the academy will be to “prepare both young people and adults for a career in the growing supply chain industry,” attracting fresh talent, and updating skills within the industry.
Robert Hough, chair of Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership said: “The Superport initiative is a key growth sector for the city region and the provision of high quality training for current and prospective logistic employees is a key priority going forward. Investment in a logistics academy creates a vital and important new asset for the city region and another reason for logistics businesses to invest here.”
The academy will offer support from employers who will work alongside both colleges to tackle the changes happening in the sector. According to Knowsley Community College, the academy will act as a “one stop shop for transport, distribution and supply chain management.”
