It’s been over 3 years since CATCH opened its doors to employers in the Humber region.  CATCH, located on the Redwood Park Estate, Stallingborough is an excellent example of a public-private partnership success for the Chemical and Allied Industries of the Humber region.

The major supporting benefit of the CATCH facility is real experiential learning taking place in a safe environment where the plant and workshops operate to industrial standards and are designed to simulate the world of work in every possible way.  From risk assessments to permits-to-work, the facilities mirror the daily operations of a chemical, refinery or other manufacturing site without any disruption to an employer’s production schedule.

The CATCH project was initiated by a group of local employers from the Chemical, Refinery and Allied industries.  In partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council, representing 4 unitary authorities in the Humber sub-region, a scheme was proposed for a dedicated training establishment to support key industries in this sector.  This successful project became known as “the Centre for the Assessment of Technical Competence – Humber”.

From the start up in April 2006, 33 ECITB engineering apprentices started training in September 2006.  Since then we have hosted many short courses, seminars and conferences in the on-site Conference Centre.  The apprenticeship side of the business has maintained an occupancy rate of around 100 ECITB and SEMTA engineering apprentices on site representing 6 trades.  Over 20 Process Technician Apprentices are now in training too from September 2009.  Of these many are employed by local manufacturers from the Oil & Gas and Chemical sectors.  CATCH is pleased to have strong partnerships with HETA, the Humber Engineering Training Association, whose Head Office is in Hull and 2 local colleges, namely the Grimsby Institute and Hull College.  Predictions indicate further growth in 2010 as demand for CATCH-based apprenticeships and adult employee training/re-training continues to rise.  CATCH has a state-of-the-art DCS Simulator operated in partnership with TTE another of our training provider partners and more recently Hull College has allocated a trainer to this unit.

Humber Chemical Focus (parent company of CATCH) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) also occupy office space at CATCH.  Working as a diverse team with CATCH many excellent regional training and development projects are being addressed leading to qualifying outputs such as job creations and increased business sales for some participating companies. 

Running as a training and conference facility, the management team headed by Clive Rounce provide open access to any interested employer or training provider keen to support the Chemical industry sector linked to CATCH and its diverse skills supply chain.  Business continues to grow and so will this facility subject to sustained demand from employer partners without whom the operation would not have been the success it is today.

CATCH is a project brand delivered by the Humber Client/Contractor Training Association (HCCTA).  Other projects delivered by HCCTA include ‘ConCom’, a Contractor Competency audit scheme designed to support and encourage development of Contractors employed by the Humber Manufacturing Client group of companies, and ‘Pre-Qual’ a prequalification service to a select group of local Client companies.  ConCom & Pre-Qual are operated through the company’s ‘Impress’ brand which was also responsible for creating additional apprenticeships, attracting funding to the region, doing employer surveys and other ground work in preparation for the CATCH project.

CATCH is always pleased to see new potential users whether they are employers, training providers or just looking to find an excellent conference facility.  To arrange a visit you should call CATCH on 01469 552828 or email training solutions@catch-uk.org.

To book an meeting room or training room please email events@catch-uk.org or alternately book online at www.catch-uk.org/bookaroom/roomguide.html