£4.7m investment to boost skills and employment opportunities
Dudley Council has approved the use of £4.7m of Local Regeneration Funding to strengthen skills provision, improve employment prospects and support economic growth across the borough.
The funding is provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and administered locally by Dudley Council.
The investment will support the refurbishment of currently vacant floors in Trinity Point, Halesowen, creating additional capacity for education and training in important curriculum areas by Halesowen College.
The project is intended to help address skills shortages in emerging industries, improve educational attainment and provide clearer routes into further training and employment.
It supports the council’s wider work with schools, colleges, employers and other partners to ensure local people can develop the skills needed to take advantage of employment opportunities across the borough and wider region.
The refurbishment will bring 1,348 sqm of underused floorspace back into productive use. Once complete, the new facilities will provide capacity for 350 learners in curriculum areas linked to identified demand.
The scheme is also expected to support 12 jobs and contribute to improved productivity by helping employers access people with the qualifications and skills they need.
An independent economic appraisal estimates that the project will generate £7.2m of social value for residents of Dudley, representing high value for money.
Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said:
“This is an investment in the future skills and prosperity of Dudley borough.
“It’s important that Dudley residents are not left behind when it comes to developing skills in emerging industries and this investment will ensure that this happens. We want local people to have access to the qualifications and practical experience that can lead to secure, future-proofed and rewarding employment.
"This project helps connect those priorities. It will strengthen the local skills pipeline, support our work to improve employment prospects and bring currently unused space back into productive use.
"It is important that every investment we make delivers clear value for residents and the local economy. The independent appraisal demonstrates that this project will generate substantial long-term benefits and represents strong value for money. It will also help to relocate staff and students away from the Whittingham Road campus which is overcrowded causing significant disruption to neighbouring residents”