Construction completed on £8m Wolverhampton training facility
The first phase of the Learning Quarter masterplan is complete, introducing a technology and automotive centre to Wolverhampton.
The new £8.1m City of Wolverhampton College technology and automotive centre at the Wellington Road campus in Bilston has been handed over by contractor Speller Metcalfe, completing the project on schedule after an 11-month build.
The college is now moving equipment into the training facility, which will open to students in September.
It aims to secure hundreds of local jobs and offer learning opportunities for thousands of students, focusing on engineering and automotive studies, including electric vehicles (EV).
There are projections of nearly 5,500 learners and 954 apprenticeships over the first ten years.
The construction was funded by £7.7 million from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), with additional funding from the Black Country LEP.
It features facilities for new electric, hybrid, and traditional vehicles as well as fabrication, manufacturing, welding, CAD, and robotics.
Divisional director for Speller Metcalfe, Rob Lashford, said: “We’re extremely pleased to have delivered the new Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre. We know how important this new facility will be both to students and
the economy of Wolverhampton. The scheme has also been a fantastic example of social value, with the scheme returning over £3.5 million in social value activities.”
Phase two of the City Learning Quarter masterplan is underway, with McLaughlin & Harvey constructing a city centre campus to facilitate the college’s move from its outdated Paget Road site.
Speller Metcalfe is also working on transforming the neighbouring adult education Wolverhampton and Central Library facilities.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA Board said: “The West Midlands has a proud heritage in manufacturing, especially in the automotive industry. But these industries, and the jobs that come with
them, won’t be available to our residents if we don’t innovate for the future.
“We are backing the future of this region by investing in the state-of-the-art Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre. It will be instrumental in keeping the West Midlands’ vital manufacturing sector at the forefront of the
industry. And will ensure our residents have the skills needed to access new jobs so our region can thrive.”
