Peter Waggott and his team will open the skills academy at MSIP Dundee next month.
A unique innovative industry-led skills academy is set to open in Dundee next month to support Scotland’s industrial growth ambitions via the future workforce requirements of sectors including renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, construction and infrastructure.
Training and consultancy firm Vertical Motives Consultancy Ltd will open the VMCL Skills Academy at MSIP Dundee to teach a combination of school-leavers, unemployed adults, career-changers, upskilling employees and international learners critically-needed skills ranging from welding technologies, advanced manufacturing and robotic automation to digital engineering, procurement and supply chain development in order to meet current and future real-world skills demands with the most effective accredited training in one integrated model. It plans to train a minimum of 100 people a year and grow the cumulative number trained from 150 next year to 450 in 2030.
Vision
The academy has been more than four years in the planning for Vertical Motives managing director Peter Waggott and a team of specialists in Technology, Operations, working with the Scottish and UK governments, Business Development and schools outreach. Peter’s vision for it is to create Scotland’s leading skills academy for advanced manufacturing and workforce development, providing employers with direct access to skilled talent, industry-aligned training, innovation capability and future-focused technologies that strengthen UK supply chains and support long-term economic growth. They’ll also benefit from direct engagement with curriculum development, workforce planning, recruitment pipelines, upskilling opportunities and technology-led learning environments.
That vision has already gained the support of industry partners Rolls-Royce, WB Alloys, Malin Group, OPITO and SAFER Training as well as Scottish Engineering, ECITB and OPITO.
Critical skills gaps
All involved see the need to address the critical skills gaps in Scotland’s energy transition, advanced manufacturing ambitions and future digital economy. For example, Scotland needs 11,368 (58%) more engineers by next year across 31 core roles as well as more electricians. The UK as a whole needs 35,000 more welders by next year.
To address those needs, Phase 1 of the academy will teach traditional and coded welding, fabrication techniques and manufacturing quality assurance to the ISO 9606 standard, Procurement and Supply Chain Management (CIPS Level 3), plus leadership, communication and employability skills.
Innovative training
The academy is planned to use cutting-edge innovative equipment and techniques to match its future-focused vision. The welding facility will use Extended Reality (XR) and Augmented Reality (AR) simulation to progress learners in the techniques required before they undertake practical welding activities within dedicated modular welding facilities. Use of XR welding simulators can cut training time by up to 30%, reduce emissions, waste and costs by up to two-thirds and increase certification success rates by up to a third.
The facility will also include traditional learning and exam environments designed to meet the standards of accreditation bodies – so it’s able to deliver UK qualification standards.
Later in Phase 1, it’s planned that a mixed-reality electrical engineering classroom will use representative low-voltage panels overlaid with AR renewable energy systems to enable safe practice and familiarisation before learners move on to live equipment.
An immersive projection room will help learners rapidly build site awareness, safety behaviours and cross-disciplinary understanding for new renewable roles – so they grasp layouts, hazards and procedures much earlier in their training. For example, it will enable learners to virtually experience being on top of a wind turbine or inside its nacelle or at an offshore solar farm without travel or risk, enabling realistic practice of working at heights, inside confined spaces or offshore safety routines – all making offshore careers more tangible and attractive for new entrants and energy transition workers.
Phase 2
Phase 2 of the academy is planned to incorporate a 5MW Edge Grean Data Centre, transforming the facility into a fully-integrated Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Engineering Campus. The Edge Data Centre will provide the digital infrastructure required to support XR learning environments, digital twins, manufacturing simulation, industrial data analytics, AI-enabled quality systems, automation technologies and future industrial innovation projects.
Peter’s long-term ambition for the academy is for it to serve as a blueprint for future UK and international skills hubs.
For now, the facility plans to start fit-out and open for applications this month and begin training in late September. As part of the plan, staff will do outreach to all schools in Dundee and Angus in Q4 to highlight career pathways and show what jobs are available. This aligns with Andy Burnham’s recently-announced plans for 14-year-olds in England to have the opportunity of technical job experience and training and places the academy ahead of that curve.
Job interviews
Learners completing their training will be guaranteed a job interview and will be given support coaching for their interview by staff. The centre team will also use their relationships with local and regional businesses and network of contacts to create job opportunities for learners.
The academy expects to create up to six roles within its first 12 months.
Peter Waggott and his team will open the skills academy at MSIP Dundee next month.
Initial funding for the expected £1m+ Year 1 costs, which include the academy paying for the welding training itself, has been secured from the private sector, but the centre hopes to receive match-funding from the public sector as well. It will earn revenue charging learners for an HNC electrical engineering course, one-day workshops on Business Development, Entrepreneurship, Management, Coaching and EQ, welders upskilling or reskilling for a different industry as well as room rental for the CIPS Procurement & Supply course.
‘Transformational’
Speaking about the academy’s launch, Peter Waggott, who will act as Project Lead, said: “The VMCL Skills Academy is a transformational, industry-led initiative that will help develop the skilled workforce needed to support Scotland’s energy transition, advanced manufacturing ambitions and future digital economy.
“The academy is designed to create accessible, high-quality pathways into employment and career progression for people from all backgrounds, including school-leavers, unemployed people, veterans, career-changers, neurodivergent learners and those from under-represented groups.
“By working closely with employers and education partners, we are creating a sustainable pipeline of talent that addresses critical skills shortages while opening up new opportunities for individuals and communities across Scotland.
“Our ambition is simple – to equip people with the skills employers need today and in the future, helping drive economic growth, social inclusion and long-term prosperity.”
Peter Waggott (centre) presented the skills academy plans to local politicians Stephen Gethins MSP and Lara Bird MP recently.
‘Monumental’
Peter Waggott and his team presented the skills academy plans to local politicians Stephen Gethins MSP and Lara Bird MP last week. Lara Bird, MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be supporting Vertical Motives as they prepare to open their Skills Academy. This is a monumental moment for Dundee and Angus as this is the first innovative digital and technical skills academy of its kind.
“With a focus on bridging the gap between skills development and industry need, Vertical Motives has a long-term vision to equip our young folk with the practical skills necessary to support our world-class manufacturing sector.
“I want to see our businesses succeed, to support our engineers to be creative and to bolster our young people for the future.
“Dundee and Angus has such a positive story to tell when it comes to innovative industry. With the support of the Scottish Government and those who see the investment potential in Dundee, I cannot wait to see what Vertical Motives achieves.”