Six educational bodies are to benefit from £2.5m thanks to Greater Lincolnshire’s devolution deal to help them build new skills training infrastructure for the agrifood sector.
The money is part of the devolution deal agreed with the government last year for Greater Lincolnshire to get a new combined authority headed up by an elected mayor.
Riseholme College, DN Colleges Group, Boston College, Lincoln College, the Lincoln Institute of Agrifood Technology and the National Centre for Food Manufacturing (both University of Lincoln) will share the pot of money to improve training infrastructure, buildings and equipment.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns, mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, said: “I know from talking to farmers and food producers that they often struggle to find the skilled workforce they need – food and farming is more technical than many people realise! I made a commitment to them that I would address this as Mayor.
“New laboratories and equipment to provide training such as hydroponics, soil science, food research and digital skills will really help our businesses. This is a key industry in Lincolnshire for jobs, investment and growth, but also for our national food security. The additional funding is a good start, but I’m determined to see even more investment in this area, so our food industries thrive and flourish.”
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