UHI North, West and Hebrides launches NU-Horizon Training Ltd

UHI North, West and Hebrides have launched NU-Horizon Training Ltd today, a new commercial training company wholly owned by the college. The company’s focus on renewable energy, hydrogen, maritime, peatlands, construction and fabrication training succeeds the work of the former Nigg Skills Academy at the Port of Nigg in Easter Ross.

Nigg Skills Academy delivered fabrication and welding training at the Port of Nigg for over a decade. Following financial difficulties in the wake of Covid-19 and reductions in public funding, UHI North, West and Hebrides worked proactively with Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and private industry partners to secure a sustainable solution.

The college took on direct delivery of engineering training at the Port of Nigg in March this year, with the lease of the facility transferring to UHI North, West and Hebrides. Existing staff were offered the opportunity to transfer into NU-Horizon Training Ltd under TUPE arrangements, protecting jobs and preserving the expertise built at the Port of Nigg. Students currently enrolled have seen no disruption to their studies and continue to benefit from the same experienced instructors, high-quality qualifications and progression pathways into employment, Modern Apprenticeships or further study within the UHI partnership.

Debbie Miller, Vice-Principal, UHI North, West and Hebrides said: “NU-Horizon Training Ltd is wholly owned by the college, which means our learners and employer partners benefit from the credibility and quality assurance of a trusted institution alongside the agility of a dedicated training company.

“We are here to help people learn, work and thrive in their own communities by delivering the skills and education they need to directly benefit from investment and opportunities in energy transition, innovation and infrastructure.”

Spaces are now available for the August intake and applications are open.

An open day will be held at the Port of Nigg on Tuesday 25 August, further details to follow.