New training facility backed

A plan to build a new facility to train some of the city’s future bricklayers, carpenters and plumbers has been backed by the council.

The new Building Block centre, which is set to be built in Dines Green, will provide training for some of the city’s deprived areas offering courses in literacy and IT, customer service training as well as bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing and green trades such as solar and heat pump installation engineers.

It joins an existing Building Block training facility in Warndon.

Worcester City Council’s policy and resources committee approved the business case at a meeting in the Guildhall on Tuesday (May 24).

Cllr James Stanley said the council was there to improve lives which is what the money and new facilities would do.

“This is a clear example of what can be achieved with relatively small sums of funding,” he said.

“These are areas, that we all have to admit, that have needed this type of funding for many, many years and the people who live in these areas in Dines Green, Ronkswood, and my own area in Gorse Hill, will undoubtedly benefit from this structured and focused investment.

“It’s hugely to be applauded. I think we are here to improve lives, and this is what this funding does.

“When we go back to what the government has put into this and what we have secured in match-funding, this is exactly what we are here to do and I will applaud it at every stage.”

Councillors also endorsed a £10 million business case for a huge regeneration plan in Shrub Hill which would see former ageing NHS offices Isaac Maddox House in Shrub Hill Road become a new business hub.

The redevelopment plan for the canal-side site also includes new housing and a walking and cycling route from Shrub Hill to St Martin’s Quarter.

The project in Dines Green is one of five in the city that will use almost £20 million of government Towns Fund money with the new medical school in Hylton Road, £4.5 million walking and cycling plan and a contribution towards the Kepax Bridge from Gheluvelt Park already approved.