Details of training for oil refinery workers

More details have emerged about how a government-funded training guarantee scheme for workers at a troubled oil refinery in Lincolnshire will work.

Lindsey Oil Refinery in North Killingholme was placed in liquidation in June after its owner Prax Group went into administration, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.

DN Colleges Group, the lead training provider, said workers would be offered a range of courses to match their skills and career ambitions, as well as meetings with a skills advisor.

The guarantee offers workers the opportunity to prepare for work in different sectors, and is limited to those directly employed by the refinery.

A dedicated website is due to go live in mid-September, allowing workers to register their interest for courses such as HGV, renewable energy technologies and health and safety.

The training guarantee is based on the refinery's wind down and eventual closure, but it comes amid fresh hopes that it could be saved.

Speaking at a recent rally event outside Parliament, Unite union's general secretary Sharon Graham claimed there were 11 "tangible" bids being considered.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said workers had been "let down" by the owners and added it was working with unions to support those affected.

"The Official Receiver is working with a number of parties to progress bids, with the objective of achieving a sale of the business," a spokesperson added.

The refinery's owner went into administration after recording losses of about £75m over the course of three years.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a UK court has frozen £150m assets of the Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery owner, Winston Soosaipillai.

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