WORCESTER is to get a new £300,000 facility that improves employment skills, provides training and offers qualifications in the construction industry.

Supported the Department for Communities and Local Government, building of the Warndon Construction Skills Centre, which is being paid for by the European Regional Development Fund with contributions from Fortis Living, Worcestershire County Council and Worcester City Council, starts on Monday, July 20 and is due for completion in the autumn.

The centre will be run as a social enterprise by Worcester Community Trust, which will work with a number of local employers to raise its profile. Cllr Simon Geraghty, County Council cabinet member with responsibility for economy, skills and infrastructure, said: "The construction industry has seen resurgence in recent years, but there is a lack of skilled labour in the West Midlands in traditional trades such as plumbing, bricklaying, and plastering as well as associated trades. This centre is designed to help fill that gap by training up local people in skills the labour market needs."

Cllr Marc Bayliss, Worcester City Council cabinet member for economic prosperity, added: “Increasing prosperity in Worcester through successful businesses and great jobs is a top priority for the City Council, so I am delighted to see this ambitious initiative to boost Warndon people’s skills start to become a reality.”

Helen Scarrett, chief executive officer of Worcester Community Trust, said: "We are excited about the new construction skills centre which is being built at the Warndon youth and community centre. We are looking forward to working with all our partners to deliver much needed training within our community and to increase employment prospects in the area. This is a fabulous resource in the heart of the community."