HETA Apprentices Powering Economy with £900M Boost

But beyond equipping young people with the technical skills needed to thrive, HETA’s impact runs far deeper - helping to bridge the skills gap and injecting nearly £1 billion into the local economy each year through its apprentices.

With a dedicated focus on employer-led training, HETA works hand in hand with industry to ensure that its apprentices are job-ready, armed with practical expertise that meets the demands of the modern workforce. Each year, around 250 learners start their training with HETA and go on to make a lifetime economic contribution of between £843 million and £906 million to the region.

The Yorkshire and Humber region is home to some of the UK’s most vital industries, from renewable energy and advanced manufacturing to chemical processing, engineering and heavy industry. The Humber Energy Estuary in particular has become a national hub for offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture technologies, attracting global investment.

For these industries to thrive and remain in the region, businesses need a steady pipeline of skilled workers. Without investment in young people, there is a real risk that companies will struggle to recruit, leading to missed opportunities and potential relocations.

HETA plays a crucial role in ensuring this doesn’t happen. By training hundreds of apprentices every year, HETA helps to secure the future of these industries, keeping high-value employers rooted in Yorkshire and Humber and ensuring the region remains a leader in engineering and innovation.

HETA’s commitment to the region is evident not just in its training programmes but in its long-term investment in infrastructure. Over the past decade, HETA has self-invested over £14 million into its three state-of-the-art training centres in Hull, Scunthorpe and Grimsby.

These facilities provide young engineers with access to industry-standard equipment, expert tutors and hands-on learning environments designed to mirror real-world workplaces. This investment ensures that apprentices are workforce-ready from day one, helping businesses avoid costly training gaps and keeping regional employers ahead of the curve.

Iain Elliott, CEO of HETA, expressed his pride in the organisation’s ongoing contribution.

“HETA has been training engineers for nearly 60 years, and we’ve always known that the work we do makes a difference – not just to young people’s careers, but to the businesses we support and the wider economy,” he said.

“Seeing the sheer scale of the impact our apprentices make is incredible. We are proud to be investing in the future of the Yorkshire and Humber region, ensuring it remains a powerhouse for engineering and industry.”

With a reputation for excellence and a commitment to developing the next generation of engineers, HETA continues to prove that high-quality apprenticeships are not just about individual success – they’re about building a stronger, more prosperous future for everyone.