Greater Lincolnshire’s devolution deal earlier this year channels funding annually to support and grow inward investment and targeted capital funding. £2.6million of this was allocated for eligible local colleges and universities across the region.

The investment in these skills capital project grants will provide the skills to support the uptake of automation and digitalisation across the supply chain, upskilling the local workforce and boosting the productivity of the sector.

In late 2024, The former Greater Lincolnshire LEP and Lincolnshire County Council sought proposals from eligible education providers for projects for improved learning facilities and equipment for the upskilling of young people and adults to support the agri-food sector.

Riseholme College received funding for a dual site Plant and Soil Science Centre based at the college’s Showground campus and LIAT.  They have used the grant to purchase training kit such as prism gauges, macro scopes and soil samplers. Larger items, such as a telehandler, a plough, a disc cultivator, a crop sprayer and a tractor, which the Riseholme students have named Freda, have also arrived. Planning continues for a T Level in Horticulture which will begin delivery in September 2026, alongside several other courses including a T Level in Agriculture and a RHS short course.

Boston College have completed the designs for an NPD kitchen module and the purpose-built facility which will house two hydroponics chambers. Planning permission was secured in July and the groundworks have now begun.

The first phase is also complete for the D N Colleges Group project. The Institute of Technology (IoT) Engineering Laboratory is now equipped with MPS PA Compact stations. A Food Science Specialist has been recruited, and the Food Science students will also begin their course in September 2026.

The University of Lincoln will use one grant to establish a Soils, Plant and Food Analysis Skills and Training Laboratory. At Lincoln Institute for Agri Food Technology (LIAT) refurbishment work has begun. The larger elements of the laboratory equipment are being sourced from university approved suppliers and will be on site soon.

The University of Lincoln’s second grant is based at the National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM) where a STEM Digital Hub will empower students, professionals and businesses with the essential digital and STEM skills needed by the workforce of the future. Employer engagement began with an event for Pilgrim Europe and a programme of school taster days started in September.