Clydebank set for £3.5m marine training facility

A new £3.5 million training facility for marine and offshore workers is expected to attract up to 5,000 people a year to Clydebank when it opens this autumn.

Clyde Group's Joyce Downie and Colin McMurray with Councillor Patrick McGlinchey, right. Picture: Contributed

Work is now underway at the hub next to the Golden Jubilee hotel, and will include classrooms, a training pool, helicopter underwater escape and a full fire training ground complete with helideck.

The facility, the first of its kind in central Scotland, will be run by Clyde Training Solutions, a newly-established subsidiary of privately-owned Clyde Group.

Hillington-based Clyde Group provides recruitment, training and travel to the marine and other industries.

Managing director Joyce Downie said: “This is an ideal place to base ourselves and, once complete, we will be able to offer a comprehensive syllabus under one roof.

“The jobs created will range from training assistants, customer care to quality control. We also aim to source many of the elements for running the centre from the local area.”

Patrick McGlinchey, West Dunbartonshire Council’s convener of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development, added: “The council is committed to improving economic growth and employability across West Dunbartonshire and this exciting new development will play its part in helping to deliver this aim.

“This major development also welcomes the oil and gas industry to Clydebank and offers a first-class accessible service to industry workers living in Scotland’s Central Belt and Southern regions.”