New £8.1M Wolverhampton automotive training centre complete
A new £8.1 million City of Wolverhampton College technology and automotive centre has been completed on schedule after an 11 month build, it was reported.
The college, at the Wellington Road campus in Bilston, is set to open to students in September.
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It is the first phase of the city council's Learning Quarter masterplan, which aims to secure hundreds of local jobs and offer learning opportunities for thousands.
Its construction by contractor Speller Metcalfe was funded by £7.7 million from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), with additional funding from the Black Country LEP.
It reportedly houses facilities for new electric, hybrid, and traditional vehicles as well as fabrication, manufacturing, welding, CAD, and robotics.
The second phase of the City Learning Quarter masterplan is also underway, with McLaughlin & Harvey constructing a city centre campus to allow the college’s move from its outdated Paget road site.
In addition, Speller Metcalfe is carrying out works on the neighbouring adult education Wolverhampton and central library facilities.
Divisional director for Speller Metcalfe, Rob Lashford, said: "We’re extremely pleased to have delivered the new Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre.
"We know how important this new facility will be both to students and the economy of Wolverhampton. The scheme has also been a fantastic example of social value, with the scheme returning over £3.5 million in social value activities."
Richard Parker, mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA board, added: "The West Midlands has a proud heritage in manufacturing, especially in the automotive industry. But these industries, and the jobs that come with them, won’t be available to our residents if we don’t innovate for the future.
“We are backing the future of this region by investing in the state-of-the-art Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre.
"It will be instrumental in keeping the West Midlands’ vital manufacturing sector at the forefront of the industry. And will ensure our residents have the skills needed to access new jobs so our region can thrive."
