The Humberside coastline around the fishing port of Grimsby boasts the largest concentration of food industries in Europe. And to meet the needs of those specialist companies, Grimsby College has established an Institute of Food and Fisheries to provide training and assistance.

An obvious question might well be why food and fisheries training was not being offered before, given the town’s industrial history? The answer is that it was indeed once home to an internationally renowned food school operated by the then University of Humberside and Lincolnshire, but that was moved to Lincoln two years ago.

Now Grimsby College, in conjunction with major local employers, has founded a new institute to meet the pressing need and to keep the area at the forefront of innovation in food and fish processing. It aims to provide expert training and consultancy within the food and fishing sectors.

It is ideally located in the former Humber Maritime Centre on Alexandra Dock.

While Grimsby’s importance as a fishing port has dwindled - most fish now arrive in containers from around the world - the presence of 130 wet fish merchants on the surrounding docks underlines the importance of the port as a processor.

Mike Dillon, the institute’s director, says: “There was disappointment and concern that a training facility that was invaluable to local industry and that helped put Grimsby on the world map had been lost. It is no exaggeration that travelling around the world I was constantly meeting people who had trained at the food school or were aware of its reputation.

“Grimsby College realised there was a niche that could be filled. The new institute will also dovetail in with other courses run by the college such as a large catering department, and engineering courses that specialise in refrigeration.

“What is important is that the courses we offer are client-led. We have worked with local companies and know what the industry wants.”

Steve Swire is human resources director with Young’s, a pound;300 million-a-year turnover seafood company operating in Grimsby. He said the loss of the food school had caused a furore in the local industry, and there was a feeling that a part of the town’s heritage had been lost.

That gap was now being filled and he envisaged up to 100 of his company’s staff being put through short courses at the institute in the next 18 months.

He said: “It is useful to have the institute right on our doorstep and we are backing the initiative all the way. We have been working with them to find out what the college can offer and how it can help meet our needs.

“The institute has a vital role in ensuring this area remains a centre for food technology and science.”

Initially the institute will concentrate on offering a postgraduate diploma in strategic management that is particularly geared to the food-processing industries. There will also be a wide range of around 35 short courses, also tailored to the needs of local industry.

The institute is clearly in its embryonic stage but talks are underway with various validating bodies. It is hoped to increase the range of courses to include foundation degrees, food management, and other professional courses.

In a consultancy role the institute will be able to advise on the most up-to-date practices and legal requirements.

Grimsby College principal Daniel Khan said: “We are aiming to be a one-stop shop for education and technology needs locally and beyond. This is an exciting venture for us.

“The institute now means that with the college provision already available we have a perfect mix: technical training aimed at the industry based at the institute; engineering, management and business studies, and hospitality and catering courses at the college.”