Over £73,000 of funding will be used to improve construction skills in the Cannock Chase district.
Money received from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership’s (GBSLEP) Future Impact Fund will pay for a skills project delivered by South Staffordshire College.
It will be used to construct a dedicated outdoor concrete pad and cover facility at the Cannock College campus, which will enable students to experience working outside as they would in the workplace.
The scheme complements a Construction Excellence project last year when the college, in partnership with Cannock Chase Council, secured almost £400,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to build a bespoke carpentry workshop and purpose-built wet trades workshops to support the delivery of brick, flooring and painting.
Councillor Josh Newbury, the council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Leader for Regeneration and High Streets, said: “We are delighted to have received additional funding for The Construction Excellence facility at South Staffordshire College’s Cannock Campus.
“This new project will help to prepare the next generation of construction workers for working outside.
“These facilities will prove to be invaluable to our local economy as they will attract apprentices from across the district into a booming industry.”
Andy Cartwright, Director of Faculty for Technology, Business and Service Industries at South Staffordshire College, said: “With industry experts in our staff, many of whom are former construction professionals, we are dedicated to addressing the skills shortage in the Cannock Chase district.
“This investment enables us to provide tailored training, supporting local businesses and meeting the urgent needs of our community.”
Henriette Breukelaar, Chief Executive Officer for GBSLEP, added: “Throughout its existence, GBSLEP has been a driver of sustainable and inclusive growth in its entire geography, including the Staffordshire Districts.
“This latest grant, issued shortly before GBSLEP closes its doors, is another important part of our impressive legacy as this project will be of benefit to businesses and communities as it helps young people gain the skills they need to secure good quality jobs in the local economy.”
Within Cannock Chase district, nine out of 10 occupations held by local people are within construction specialisms.
The area also has over 20 per cent more job openings within construction than the national average.
- Business leaders are being given the chance to make known their training needs in a series of events being set up by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce. Read more here.
