Construction training facilities at City of Wolverhampton College’s Wellington Road campus are set to be extended thanks to a £2 million cash injection.
The college submitted a bid for a share of the Department of Education’s Post-16 Capacity Fund and is one of only 39 projects approved nationally.
The funding will enable a much-needed expansion of facilities at the college’s Construction Innovation Centre, in Bilston – due to growing demand for places on courses – including two mezzanine areas with bays for electrical and plumbing workshops, increased space for gas trades training, and the installation of welfare units adjacent to the new rail track training area.
Malcolm Cowgill, principal and chief executive of the college, said “As the number of young people in Wolverhampton continues to grow the city will have the 14th highest rate nationally over the next ten years and this, combined with the college’s increasing popularity and demand for places on courses, means that we have reached full capacity in the Construction Innovation Centre.
“I am thrilled that the college has been successful in this bid which will enable us to provide more high-quality training for young people not in education, employment or training.”
The college developed the bid in partnership with City of Wolverhampton Council and a range of construction industry organisations including British Gypsum, CITB , Duplex Business Services, Flannery Plant Hire, Gough Group, McAuliffe Group, National Infrastructure Solutions, and Sunbelt Rentals.
