Training hub to support £67m Birmingham development opens
A training hub which aims to tackle a construction skills shortage and offer a route into work on a £67m Birmingham development has opened.
The £100,000 training hub, funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) through its Construction Gateway programme, will offer local people free construction training and a guaranteed job interview after completing a 20-day course.
Led by Galliford Try, the hub will be based at the 3 Arena Central development fronting Chamberlain Square, where work is underway to build 240,000 sq ft of commercial space over 14 floors.
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “We know new opportunities for up to 100,000 trained workers are set to open up in the construction industry over the next ten years.
“Through our Construction Gateway programme, we are equipping local people with the skills that the industry urgently needs to fill these jobs.
“This new training hub in Birmingham will help unemployed people to learn new construction skills for free, get real-world experience and have a guaranteed job interview at the end of their course.”
The hub will offer 50 new jobs and a range of work placements over the next 12 months.
David Bowdley, operations director at Galliford Try, said: “Increasing the number of people involved in construction is a vital part of our mission as a business. People are the biggest asset for any construction business and having a diverse workforce only makes that contribution stronger.
“We are delighted to be part of this innovative programme, exposing candidates from all communities to a range of careers in the industry and helping them gain recognised qualifications. We hope that it inspires them to start a new career in construction.”
The WMCA is working alongside partners at the Birmingham City Council Employment Access Team, Galliford Try, the National Careers Service, the Construction Industry Training Body (CITB), training provider Total Training, Jobcentre Plus and the Department of Work and Pensions, to maximise employment and training opportunities.
