National shale college launched

Energy minster Matthew Hancock confirmed that Blackpool and the Fylde College would lead a group of colleges in providing training courses for the UK’s nascent shale oil & gas sector.

The National College for Onshore Oil and Gas will be headquartered in Blackpool and linked to colleges in Chester, Redcar and Cleveland, Glasgow and Portsmouth.

Only by arming people with the skills they need to be shale specialists can we …help the UK economy remain strong and competitive

Energy minster Matthew Hancock

“I am not prepared to pass up a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity, with the potential for industry to invest up to £33 billion in the next 15 years or so,” said Hancock.

“That’s why we are investing in the people behind the projects. Only by arming people with the skills they need to be shale specialists can we provide career opportunities for thousands of young people, boost the power and competitiveness of our firms and help the UK economy remain strong and competitive.”

The Government is providing £750,000 of funding that will be matched by industry bodies and education providers to develop the College. Further capital funding will be available from the National College programme to support the college on an industry-matched investment basis. 

Among other things, the National College will:

• Provide skills courses ranging from A-level equivalents right through to postgraduate degree level, and train teachers and regulators
• Accredit relevant training and academic courses run by other institutions
• Work with schools to encourage children to consider careers in the industry, and to help them make the right subject choices early on
• Carry out research and development for improved equipment, materials and processes that will increase the efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of operations

Examples of research include the work carried out at the Weir Advanced Research Centre, based at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, which will accelerate the development of high pressure pumping, hydraulic fracturing and other above ground hardware.

Cuadrilla site

Announcement of the National College opening in Blackpool came just two days after Cuadrilla confirmed it expected the Environment Agency to grant environmental permits for its proposed exploratory drilling at Preston New Road in Blackpool.

The decision is subject to a final round of consultation that runs until December 8.

“We welcome the announcement by the Environment Agency that it is minded to approve our permits,” said Cuadrilla chief executive Francis Egan.

“It comes at the end of a robust and rigorous review of our permit applications to ensure that, as we have committed, the local environment is well protected throughout our proposed exploratory operations.”