Techs in the city take on new hub
SKILLS START-UP TAKES ON HULL’S
ATRIO of tech businesses, which were set up to drive the development of digital businesses in Hull and East Yorkshire, have secured a prime city centre site as the home for a technology education and training centre.
Kingston House in Myton Street, Hull, will become the home for The Edge Hub, which was set up earlier this year by tech recruitment and event specialists who identified a skills gap in their sector.
The revamped building is expected to open in spring 2022, working with global brands, rising stars of the local tech scene and key partners from local authorities and education.
It will offer a wide range of training and upskilling services to individuals and businesses.
Antonio Tombanane, cofounder of The Edge Hub and the man behind the ongoing tech Week Humber, said: “We moved into training because of our experience and expertise in IT and in running the first specialist IT recruitment business in the area.
“We recognised there is a big skills gap in the region and education couldn’t address the problem on its own.
“Online learning alone is not sufficient because people who are not confident with IT are probably not going to go online in the first place, so we are creating a place and a community where people can learn digital skills.”
The new company was formed by Antonio and his colleague Jo Fleming – his partner in existing Hull-based tech ventures IT Recruitment and GBE Connect – alongsideentrepreneurs Shaun Larvin and Simon Lunt.
The Edge Hub partnered with Google to present a digital marketing event as a launch in September, and it and IBM have committed to further work.
Wilberforce College in Hull will be one of the education partners and Hull City Council will support training opportunities.
Antonio said: “We will provide platforms to train and upskill students, businesses and entrepreneurs. If people are unemployed we can help them back into employment, and if they have a job we can help them to progress. In partnership with the global tech giants we will help to upskill the workforce.”
The three tech businesses currently employ seven people between them and the new building is expected to support the creation of ten jobs over the next 12 to 18 months.
“This shows how our businesses are working together to develop the skills which will support Hull’s growing status as a city known for its digital prowess,” Antonio added.
The Edge Hub provides nearly 9,500sq ft across three floors to create training suites, a networking area and a gym under the guidance of Brough-based architects Ar2 and Hull-based designers Den Interiors.
Mark Jones, director of regeneration at Hull City Council, said: “The growth of the digital sector in recent years has seen new digital businesses setting up primarily within the city centre with a particular focus around C4DI at the Fruit Market. At the same time more traditional businesses are making greater use of technology to improve what they already do. We know there is much more to come and it is great to see the tech sector choosing to locate close to KCOM and the Bonus Arena.
“The result of this is a growing need for digital skills and we are looking forward to working with The Edge Hub in their new premises to meet that demand by training our young people, upskilling the existing workforce and creating the good quality jobs and careers which will attract more talent into the area.