Hereford's NMITE unveils milestone in development of its Skills Hub building
NMITE, the New Model Institute for Technology & Engineering, in Hereford revealed that planning permission has now been submitted for its 'Skills Hub' building, which will help entrepreneurs get started in today's tech-driven world
Once planning is received, construction is due to start this year, with the centre, designed by local firm Arbor Architects, scheduled to open in the spring of 2025.
It will be located on the corner of Blackfriars Street and Widemarsh Street and will be for school leavers, career-shifters, businesses and entrepreneurs.
Backed by over £2 million from the UK Government'S Towns Fund, the hub is part of the 'Stronger Hereford' programme, which is focused on making the city a better place to live, learn, work and visit.
James Newby, NMITE’s president and chief executive described the skills hub as a "test bed facility for innovation, a futuristic space that enables a feeling of walking into the future with excitement and confidence rather than fear and uncertainty".
He said: "Our aim is to revolutionise upskilling, reskilling and to address the skills gaps for the current employment environment and for work in the future. The Skills Hub will help new entrepreneurs get started - raising aspirations and supporting the creation of new jobs in the local area. The centre will help power local economic growth."
With AI and immersive reality already changing the world of work, the new centre will play a leading role in convening pioneers and practitioners of these new technologies, said NMITE.
"Our role is to encourage, inspire and support local businesses and residents to take ownership of their future," said Lahari Parchuri, Future of Work Skills Hub Development Lead at NMITE.
"Advancement in technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Immersive Realities are fundamentally changing the world of work.
"We have an opportunity in Herefordshire to work together and decide what that means for us and our people."
The impact of The Skills Hub is already being felt with the delivery of the first six-month Innovation Support programme, launched in December in partnership with Innovate UK, and there are other events and courses in the pipeline including a major Future of Work conference in May.
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