The Humber must create the “perfect skills ecosystem” to unlock major investment and deliver a prosperous future for the region, an offshore wind conference in Hull has heard.
Sarah Duckering, Executive Director of Research, Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation Services at the University of Hull, spoke on behalf of Humber Freeport at Offshore Wind Connections 2025.
She told a delegation of leading figures from across the offshore wind industry that the Humber must “join the dots” and connect people and skills to long-term employment opportunities.
Alongside her role at the University of Hull, Sarah is an innovation collaborator for Humber Freeport, working with cross-sector organisations to ensure the region has the skills and talent it needs to drive the green industrial revolution.
Sarah said: “Humber Freeport was fundamental to the launch of the Aura Centre for Doctoral Training. That research programme works closely with industry to solve problems and remove barriers to employment.
Sarah Duckering spoke on behalf of Humber Freeport at Offshore Wind Connections 2025.
“You cannot get significant funding without first demonstrating you have a joined-up ecosystem that engages with companies and organisations to help bridge the skills gap.
“We have the infrastructure, the partnerships, the clarity of purpose and the passion of people. All of those things are part of the perfect ecosystem that will create the opportunities to deliver the prosperity we want for our region.”
Offshore Wind Connections attracted hundreds of regional, national and international delegates, and focused on the latest developments and market opportunities in the wind industry.
Humber Freeport was a silver sponsor at OWC 2025, demonstrating the important role it plays in attracting the investments which will drive the energy transition.
With a commitment to its three key workstreams – decarbonisation, skills and innovation – the Freeport creates the economic conditions that drives inward investment and the growth of a renewable energy supply chain.
The wind industry is one of the Humber’s great success stories, with the sector continuing to grow rapidly.
The Humber aims to provide more than a third of the UK’s total offshore wind capacity – at least 13.8GW – by 2030.
Some of the world’s largest offshore wind farms are located off the Yorkshire coast, with the Humber serving as a manufacturing, O&M and training centre of excellence.
Private sector investment from organisations including Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, RWE and Orsted have brought in more than £9.5 billion of investment to the Humber region.
The wind industry is one of the Humber’s great success stories, with the sector continuing to grow rapidly.
OWC 2025 is delivered by Humber Marine & Renewables, an organisation at the heart of marine, offshore renewables and net-zero sector growth in the region and surrounding area.
