It is the first capital project to be delivered under the Islands Growth Deal, a ten-year package that seeks to drive economic growth and the creation of sustainable jobs across Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides.

The project has received funding from the Scottish Government through the Islands Growth Deal (£1.5m) and the Islands Programme Fund (£250,000), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) (£250,000), Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (£236,000), and UHI (£102,000).

It includes modern training facilities for engineering students and apprentices including virtual welding simulators, a Future Energy Lab supporting research in renewable energy technologies. A Newton Room will provide primary and secondary school pupils with hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Social spaces for students on campus have also been improved.

The investment will allow UHI North, West and Hebrides to support the Just Transition to Net Zero and the skilled workforce needed by employers, developers and major investors in the renewable energy sector throughout Scotland.

Across the curriculum, the college offers a range of qualifications available to study on campus, in work, and online, to support a talent pipeline for the renewable energy sector.

It is working with 26 employers in the Outer Hebrides to deliver Modern Apprenticeships to around 90 apprentices across carpentry and joinery, electrical engineering, and fabrication and welding, including 27 employed by Navantia UK, operators of the Arnish Yard.

UHI North, West and Hebrides - a partner in the Creed Hydrogen Skills and Innovation Centre – is also leading Scotland’s hydrogen technology skills training as the only provider of Scotland’s only SQA recognised qualification for engineering technicians dedicated to hydrogen.

The modernised facility will give UHI North, West and Hebrides capacity to increase the number of learners on campus and expand its curriculum in areas like renewable energy, engineering, construction and the built environment, sustainability and net zero.

Welcoming the opening of the Technology and Innovation Centre, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “These facilities will equip people from the islands with skills to grasp the career opportunities afforded by renewable energy. The centre will help rural communities to thrive by helping them to attract and retain more young people. It is the first project to be completed within the Islands Growth Deal, which has been supported with £50 million from the Scottish Government. The Deal aims to drive growth and create up to 1,300 jobs across Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides by boosting housing, tourism, creative industries and renewable energy.”

Joanna Peteranna, director of area operations at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “This project, which we are very pleased to support, will transform education and training for UHI NWH students, making the campus more attractive to learners through new technologies. Modern training facilities especially those that support STEM skills are vital for equipping people to seek employment the growing renewable energy sector, retaining young residents and attracting more students to the Outer Hebrides.”

Lydia Rohmer, principal and chief executive of UHI North, West and Hebrides, said: “The once-in-a-generation strategic investment associated with green energy and the Just Transition to Net Zero in the Outer Hebrides is set to drive increased demand for skills based vocational courses and apprenticeships, continuous professional development, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.

“This investment ensures our campus has the engineering, technology and innovation facilities required by industry, and strengthens our capacity to support STEM skills and meet both current and emergent workforce needs from island-based, national and international employers, investors and developers. It will allow more people to study, live and access high value jobs locally, and further positions UHI North, West and Hebrides as the go-to academic provider for education, skills and research for the energy sector.”

Employers, major developers from the renewable energy sector, and representatives from local organisations toured the new facilities at the Technology and Innovation Centre on Tuesday, meeting staff and students, including Navantia UK fabrication and welding apprentices, SECTT electrical apprentices, HNC and BEng engineering students and local school pupils.

Councillor Paul Steele, leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said: “It is hugely pleasing to see the Technology and Innovation Centre at UHI North, West and Hebrides opened. For the island to fully benefit from future major developments it is vital that we invest in the development of a highly-skilled local workforce. This new facility will allow individuals the opportunity to live in the Outer Hebrides while receiving high quality education and training in areas specific to key local growth sectors. I would like to congratulate all involved in taking the project to this stage and our Islands Growth Deal partners for their continued work in achieving real economic benefits for our islands.”

UHI North, West and Hebrides will be holding a series of open afternoons at the Technology and Innovation Centre throughout May for members of the public, employers, and prospective students to tour the facilities and find out more about studying engineering.