Guests from across the globe gathered in Irvine earlier today to support XLCC, the British company building a world-class HVDC (high voltage direct current) subsea cable manufacturing facility in Hunterston on Scotland’s West Coast in North Ayrshire, which is a £1.7 billion project which will support 900 new jobs. This was the official opening of its new 12,500sq training facility in Irvine, with prominent Scottish businesswoman and entrepreneur, Dr Marie Macklin CBE, delivering a speech with hope and aspiration at its heart.

Dr Macklin has had a strong relationship with XLCC since 2023 when XLCC chose the HALO Enterprise & Innovation Centre, Kilmarnock, as its first base in Scotland for its management team and apprentices, making it fitting that Dr Macklin was invited to play a key role in this milestone day for the business.

During her speech, Dr Macklin focused on the need to support Scotland’s talented young people with a wide variety of opportunities, boosting STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) roles in Ayrshire and beyond. The importance of all this coming together in order to support Scotland achieve its ambitious net zero targets, whilst boosting the local economy, played a key role in Dr Macklin’s address.

Commenting on the opening of the XLCC training facility in Irvine, Dr Marie Macklin CBE said:

“It was a privilege to be asked to officially open this fantastic facility by XLCC, in what is another exciting day for businesses and the communities of Ayrshire. XLCC will be supercharging the next generation of HVDC rollout and driving an SME supply chain for Ayrshire, Scotland and UK.

“With wider investment, extensive training and green jobs at its heart, I’m thrilled to support XLCC as we all play our part in driving forward the fourth industrial revolution, putting Ayrshire and Scotland at the forefront of the ‘Just transition’, not just for today but for our children’s children. I look forward to continuing to work with XLCC in the years to come and congratulate XLCC CEO, Ian Douglas, all his team and partners involved from the bottom of my heart.”

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(Marie pictured with CEO, Ian Douglas and apprentices.)

The opening of the 12,500 sq. ft training facility marks a crucial milestone in XLCC’s development and was accomplished with the visionary support of Scottish Enterprise, who provided a £200,000 grant towards the fit-out of the unit with office, conference, and welfare facilities. The new facility will be XLCC’s main training hub for its cable joiners who will be based at the state-of-the-art factory in Hunterston which was supported in 2023 by North Ayrshire Council when planning was awarded.