Greater Lincolnshire is investing £2.5 million to upgrade training infrastructure across six educational institutions to strengthen the region’s agri-food workforce. The funding is part of the area’s wider devolution deal, which enables local control over development priorities through a newly established combined authority. The UK Food Valley programme, now managed by Lincolnshire County Council, is distributing the grants as part of a broader effort to modernise training, attract investment, and support regional growth.
The funding will support a mix of capital projects to expand capacity, modernize teaching facilities, and align training with the latest industry standards. Riseholme College will create a Centre for Plant and Soil Science, equipping it with agricultural machinery and expanded teaching space to support further and higher education qualifications. DN Colleges Group plans to develop advanced laboratories to support a new food science degree and technical training in microbiology and food automation. Boston College is building a modular Agrifood Hub, complete with a hydroponics unit and digital suite, in partnership with Hydrogarden Ltd and the University of Lincoln, to address emerging skills gaps in sustainable food production.
Lincoln College is establishing an AgriLinc Training Hub focused on HGV and forklift driver qualifications, operating in collaboration with Branston Ltd., to address acute logistics shortages in the food supply chain. The Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology is transforming part of its Riseholme campus into a dedicated laboratory for soil, crop, and food analysis to upskill agronomists and growers. Meanwhile, the National Centre for Food Manufacturing at Holbeach will develop a STEM Digital Hub offering digital and engineering skills training to meet evolving workforce demands.
The funding represents a strategic push to build long-term capability in a sector critical to local employment and national food security. Investing in cutting-edge facilities and tailored training, the region aims to reinforce its status as a significant UK agri-food cluster.
