Construction has officially begun on a landmark maritime training facility in Whitby that aims to position the town as a key player in the UK's offshore renewable energy and maritime industries.

Willmott Dixon has been appointed to deliver the £9.6 million Whitby Maritime Training Hub, a cutting-edge development at Endeavour Wharf that will provide essential skills training, business accommodation, and engineering facilities for the next generation of maritime professionals. The project is being delivered in partnership with North Yorkshire Council and Enjoy Architects, and is expected to be completed by spring 2026.

Procured via the SCAPE Construction Framework, the facility will include training and certification for the maritime, marine, and offshore renewable sectors, as well as office space for marine start-ups, engineering workshops, and space for service providers.

Cllr Mark Crane, North Yorkshire Council's executive member for open to business, said: "This is a significant moment for this project. We believe the hub can open the door to new economic growth in coastal areas and be a landmark development for Whitby, placing the town at the forefront of the growing renewable energy sector.

-- Advertisement --

"It is imperative that there is a sustainable and diverse range of job opportunities for our communities, and the building of a world-class training facility can only help inspire the next generation of apprentices and professionals in the maritime sector."

The training hub is designed to complement the town's historic maritime views and heritage, building on Whitby's long-standing connections to fishing and sailing. Initially, North Yorkshire Council will manage the facility, with plans to potentially transfer operations to a community interest company in the future.

The goal is to attract local, regional, and national businesses to use the space, supporting year-round employment and reducing Whitby's dependence on seasonal industries like tourism. The hub aims to create long-term commercial opportunities that will fuel the coastal economy and support skilled job creation.

Barry Harland, Chair of the Whitby Town Board, said: "Presenting new opportunities for people in and around Whitby is the main reason for the hub being built. I hope the excitement will build even further as the opportunities that these facilities will offer for local families become clearer over the next year, and more people and organisations engage with the project as it moves towards completion."

Funding for the project is part of the Government's Town Deals programme, which awarded £37.3 million to Whitby and Scarborough in 2021 to drive local regeneration and economic development.