The National College for Onshore Oil and Gas (NCOOG) has been awarded funding worth £5.5 million.

It is part of the government’s £80 million investment to support the creation of five new National Colleges.

The money will be used to purchase a full suite of training equipment, enabling NCOOG to offer people technical and professional training.

The National College for nuclear has also won £15 million to create hubs in Somerset and Cumbria.

Colette Cohen, Chair of NCOOG and Head of Centrica’s UK oil and gas production business said: “This is excellent news. The vision for the National College for Onshore Oil and Gas is to develop a top quality skilled British workforce to help deliver a national resource in a safe and environmentally sensitive way.

“This funding will allow us to progress quickly with the establishment of the college and open new exciting training and career opportunities to local people.”