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The Kent & Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) team was delighted to attend the official launch of the Kent Skills Hub and EV Charging Hub at Hermitage Quarry, hosted by Gallagher Group.
Bringing together industry partners, stakeholders and invited guests, the event provided a valuable opportunity to see first-hand how these two new facilities are supporting the future of construction skills, employment opportunities and sustainable ways of working across the region.
The Kent Skills Hub represents a significant investment in the future workforce, offering practical, employer-led training opportunities designed to meet the evolving needs of the construction sector.
Developed to support a wide range of learners — including young people, veterans, former prisoners, college students, new entrants and those looking to upskill — the Hub provides:
This inclusive and practical approach is helping to strengthen the talent pipeline for construction, ensuring that employers can access the skilled workforce they need to deliver future projects.
Jointly funded by Gallagher Group and CITB, the Hub demonstrates a shared commitment from industry partners to tackling the construction skills gap and supporting long-term workforce development.
Alongside the Skills Hub, the launch also showcased the new EV Charging Hub, designed to support the sector’s transition towards lower-emission operations.
Powered by 100% renewable electricity, the facility provides charging infrastructure for electric vans, HGVs and construction plant. Importantly, its proximity to the Skills Hub enables electric plant and equipment to be integrated directly into training, giving learners exposure to the technologies that will shape the future of the industry.
Part funded by the Department for Transport’s Depot Charging Scheme, the EV Charging Hub highlights how infrastructure and skills development can be aligned to support both economic growth and environmental sustainability.
The event demonstrated the power of collaboration, with a wide range of partners contributing to the development and delivery of the project. These include CITB, Lower Thames Crossing, NOCN Group, Flannery Plant Hire and The Lighthouse Charity, alongside Gallagher Group.
Together, these organisations have created a joined-up model that connects training, employment and innovation, ensuring that investment in skills is closely aligned with industry needs.
This initiative reflects the core ambitions of the Kent & Medway LSIP, which emphasises the importance of employer-led, partnership-driven approaches to skills development.
By bringing together employers, training providers and industry bodies, the Kent Skills Hub and EV Charging Hub demonstrate how collaboration can:
The LSIP team would like to thank Gallagher and all partners involved for hosting such an insightful and forward-looking event.
Initiatives such as this play a vital role in ensuring that Kent and Medway is well-positioned to meet future workforce demands — particularly in key sectors such as construction, infrastructure and green technologies.
We look forward to continuing to work alongside employers and partners to support the development of a skilled, adaptable and future-ready workforce.
