A new Skills Centre is set to be built as part of phase 1 of the London Road / North Street regeneration project. This new centre will give young people across the borough access to the very highest quality training.
The centre is aimed at 14 - 19 year olds and will provide a real work environment that resembles a place of employment rather than a school or college, and offer range of vocational occupational sectors including sustainable construction, ICT, hair and beauty and hospitality and catering.
There will be a professional hair and beauty salon and bistro open to the public and will operate as businesses within the centre.
The curriculum will feature an enhanced range of applied learning qualifications, including Young Apprenticeships and BTECs - supported by local employers.
Strong links will be established with the council’s joint venture partner Elevate East London to link graduates of the Skills Centre to employment opportunities.
Partnerships will be explored with higher education to develop technician level qualifications in the sustainable technologies and ‘green’ industries.
The high quality design of the building will provide another striking addition to the regeneration of the town centre and increase activity and connectivity in the heart of the town centre.
The site is being developed as part of the wider London Road / North Street project which has a separate regeneration plan, known as phase 2, and includes commercial uses, an option for residential uses and a new market square.
The £14 million centre is due to open in September 2012 and is part funded by the Department of Education.
Technical Skills Academy