XLCC partners with Scottish Enterprise to launch a dedicated apprenticeship Training Centre in Irvine

UK subsea cable manufacturer, XLCC, today announces that it has signed a lease on a unit at Arkwright Way in Irvine, Ayrshire to operate as a dedicated training facility for its apprentices. The fit-out of the Training Centre will begin in the next couple of weeks and it will be ready for use in June 2024.

The 12,500 sq ft site was secured with the support of Scottish Enterprise, which provided a £200,000 grant towards the fit-out of the unit with office, conference and welfare facilities. The new Centre will be XLCC’s main training hub for its cable jointer apprentices and Hunterston factory.

The Arkwright Way location provides XLCC with the opportunity to develop and build relationships with local companies, who have the potential to become the foundation of its preferred suppliers when the Hunterston factory becomes operational.

The first XLCC cohort began their Modern Apprenticeship training programme in October 2023. Apprentices are working toward an NC, HNC or HND in Electrical Engineering in day release format, depending on previous qualifications. The course has been designed in partnership with Ayrshire College and is essential to enhancing XLCC’s capacity and ability to meet the demands of clients from around the world.

Alan Mathers, Business Operations Director at XLCC, said: “The facility gives XLCC the platform to deliver a very high standard of training for our apprentices, with a focus on cable jointing skills development. Our dedicated Training Centre will help ensure that the apprentices have the necessary expertise to execute the jointing process effectively and efficiently when within our Hunterston factory environment. We are proud to be playing a central role in stimulating economic growth in North Ayrshire and making a positive difference to community life.”

Adrian Gillespie, CEO of Scottish Enterprise, said: “We continue to work closely with XLCC as it seeks to address the growing global demand for HVDC subsea cables, which are crucial for the energy transition. The establishment of this new Training Centre is an important milestone as the company seeks to deliver its ambitious plans for Scotland, by helping to ensure it has the highly skilled workforce it needs now and in the future. This transformational project also provides significant economic opportunities for the local supply chain in Ayrshire and beyond.”

Chair of Skills Development Scotland, Frank Mitchell said: “Ayrshire has a long and proud history of passing on skills through apprenticeships. In investing in these fantastic new facilities, XLCC are offering future generations of local talent a direct route into high-quality enduring careers. This project demonstrates the value that forward-thinking employers place on apprenticeship pathways, generating the skills needed to deliver a Zero Carbon future”

The XLCC apprentices will return next week to Scotland from attending an eight-week training course in Germany at the SÜDKABEL Jointing School.

XLCC has plans to hire 60 apprentice jointers to develop a strong pipeline of certified HVDC jointers in North Ayrshire.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

Media Contact

Yellow Jersey PR

Alex Crean/Alison Hicks XLCC@yellowjerseypr.com

About XLCC

XLCC will establish a new, export-led, green industry in the UK: world-class HVDC subsea cable manufacturing. Our mission is to provide the connectivity required for renewable power to meet future global energy needs.

XLCC will provide a number of different services including:

• - HVDC subsea extruded cable
• - Cable laying
• - Cable protection
• - Cable repair

XLCC will produce HVDC cables that run deep under the sea in most cases, enabling the transfer of renewable power from generation sites to end users. In this way, subsea cable technology has a significant impact in reducing the environmental consequences of electricity generation consumption around the globe. Additionally, XLCC will work to reduce the impact of their own activities, from factory operations to how they bury cable under the seabed.

XLCC is committed to working with its clients to deliver environmental impact assessments which meet the requirements of all local regulations and to actively engage with relevant stakeholders in all jurisdictions.

About Scottish Enterprise  

Scottish Enterprise (SE) is Scotland’s national economic development agency and a non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government. It supports businesses to innovate and scale to transform the Scottish economy by focusing on new market opportunities through targeted investment, innovation and internationalisation. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn.