A new £4.2 million Green Skills Academy has officially opened in Wisbech, with the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, helping to mark the launch of a major new skills and training facility for Fenland.
The project includes a £2 million investment from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, supporting ambitions to drive opportunity, tackle skills gaps and stimulate long‑term economic growth in the area.
Based at the College of West Anglia’s Wisbech campus, the Green Skills Academy is designed to equip learners with the skills needed for careers in environmental technology and green trades.
The academy forms part of wider efforts to improve access to high‑quality training and employment in an area where skills levels have historically been below regional and national averages.
The academy has been delivered through a partnership between the College of West Anglia, Anglian Water and the Combined Authority.
Funding includes:
- £2 million from the Combined Authority, via the Local Growth Fund
- £2 million from Anglian Water
- Additional investment from the College of West Anglia
Together, the £4.2m package has enabled the creation of purpose‑built training spaces and access to industry‑standard equipment.
The Combined Authority’s investment supported the construction of dedicated training environments, ensuring learners gain hands‑on experience aligned with employer needs.
Demonstrations at the opening showcased modern green technologies, including vacuum sewage systems, directional drilling equipment, and sustainable materials, reflecting the practical focus of the academy.
These facilities are designed to prepare learners for skilled roles that support environmental protection, infrastructure development and the green economy.
The opening was attended by Jason Tucker, Director of Commercial Operations at Anglian Water Services, and David Pomfret, Chief Executive and Principal of the College of West Anglia, alongside employers, community leaders and learners.
The event highlighted how collaboration between education providers, industry and local government can respond directly to labour market needs and create new pathways into employment.
The Green Skills Academy supports the Combined Authority’s Local Growth Plan, which sets out a Mayoral ambition to triple the size of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough economy.
The Fens Growth Triangle, which includes Wisbech, is one of four identified Opportunity Zones, targeted for focused investment in skills, infrastructure and jobs to unlock local economic potential.
By developing a skilled workforce in green technologies, leaders say the academy will help attract further investment and support sustainable growth across Fenland.
Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, commented:
“This is another example of the Combined Authority investing in skills opportunities in places where they are needed most.
“This £2 million investment, working alongside Anglian Water and College of West Anglia, will give people the skills employers actually need.
“Our Local Growth Plan identifies Fenland and our Fens Growth Triangle Opportunity zone as a key area for accelerated growth. That growth depends on skilled people and that’s what this new academy will help provide.
“It’s about creating opportunities for well-paid jobs, supporting local employers to grow, and making sure Fenland is part of my push to triple the size of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough economy.”
By aligning training provision closely with industry demand, the Green Skills Academy is expected to play a key role in boosting employment, raising skills levels and supporting a more resilient, sustainable economy across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Image credit: iStock
