One of the UK’s leading training and apprenticeships providers, The Skills Centre, officially opened its brand-new Essex facility at Horndon Industrial Estate, Brentwood, on Friday, 10th October.

The opening, which was hosted by representatives from The Skills Centre, Measom Drylining, alongside Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) CEO Iain McIlwee, and Councillor Louise McKinlay, is the tenth Skills Centre facility in the UK, joining centres based at Earls Court, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Kent, Northampton, Bicester, West Midlands and Southwark.

The new centre will deliver high-quality construction training tailored to the needs of local people and employers, such as Level 1 pre-employment training – which prepares learners for entry into construction, as well as commercial courses like PASMA and apprenticeships in Dry-Lining Interior Systems.

In recent months, The Skills Centre has already supported more than 500 local learners in Essex, 363 of whom have been supported into employment or new roles, including:

• 197 pre-employment learners
• 331 NVQs
• 7 apprentices

Khristian Kirkland, a learner with The Skills Centre, who has recently started an apprenticeship with Measom Drylining, said:

“The Skills Centre has had a massive impact on my life. Before I started training with them, I didn’t have a clear path. But from day one, the team believed in me and gave me the support and confidence I needed to move forward.

“The pre-employment course helped me build essential skills and gave me a real understanding of what to expect in the construction industry. Thanks to their support, I’ve now started a dry lining apprenticeship with Measom and The Skills Centre, and I finally feel like I’m building a career I can be proud of.”

The Skills Centre Essex will act as a hub for local people to gain essential construction skills and qualifications, while also supporting employers to source a pipeline of site-ready talent to meet the growing demand across the region.

Ian Toogood, Centre Director for The Skills Centre Essex, said:

“This new Essex centre represents the next stage in our growth and our commitment to delivering world-class, locally focused training.

“We’ve worked closely with employers across the region to ensure our programmes directly reflect the skills they need on site – so every learner who comes through our doors leaves ready to make an impact from day one.

“It’s been fantastic to see the enthusiasm from both learners and employers, and I’m incredibly proud of the team who’ve brought this project to life.”

Ian Mcilwee, CEO of the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) added:

“It’s fantastic to see The Skills Centre and Measom Drylining collaborating to create new apprenticeship and employment opportunities here in Essex.

“Initiatives like this are essential to ensuring the future of our industry, giving local people the training, qualifications and confidence to build long and rewarding careers in construction.”

For more information about The Skills Centre, visit www.theskillscentre.co.uk.