A new Community Training Hub has opened at Hartland Village in Fleet, which will serve the community as a new teaching centre for construction skills.
The hub is a new space where local students will get hands on experience with construction training and demonstrations, as well as short lectures, toolbox talks and theory based college work with college lecturers and St Edward staff.
Students will get a real flavour of life on a construction site as they make the most of the welfare facilities, work experience opportunities and see how the 13 year Hartland Village project evolves in real time.
Anthony Bravo, College Principal at Basingstoke College of Technology, said: "The new Hartland Village Community Training Hub is a really good example of BCoT's collaborative working with employers and I'm excited to open the facility. The hub is a fantastic opportunity for our learners to have access to a range of contractors and experience a 'real' working environment. Our students will work closely with St Edward staff, their subcontractors and this will involve visits and tours around the site. We are looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership in training future generations of construction professionals."
Virginia Barrett, Principal CEO, Farnborough College of Technology said: "As the local college for Hart and Rushmoor we are pleased to be involved with St Edward's innovative Hartland Village Community Training Hub. This is a perfect example of employers collaborating to nurture and develop the skills they need. I am therefore thrilled for our students studying in Aldershot who will be able to engage in simulation activities and gain invaluable real work insights from a live site."
St Edward Executive Chairman, Paul Vallone said: "We are thrilled to handover the Community Training Hub today. Our vision is that this will be a place of learning and a place where the community can come together. We believe construction offers a brilliant career and we will be working closely with our partners at Hart District Council, Farnborough College of Technology and Basingstoke College of Technology to support and inspire the next generation of construction hopefuls."
The hub will be available to local community groups and Job Centre Plus, who St Edward is working with to develop programmes that will boost the confidence and skills of unemployed people.
St Edward recently had its employment initiatives recognised when it scooped a Gold award at Hampshire's Investors in Young People award. The team are working closely with Hart District Council on their Employment and Skills Plan.
Hartland Village is 3 years into its 13 year lifespan which will see 1,500 new homes built, with a village centre, 70 acre Country Park and a bounty of green space for community events and leisure activities.