New construction training facility delivered for Edgware

The Skills Centre and Places for London have opened their third training Centre together for Londoners in partnership with the London Borough of Barnet and Ballymore.

The Skills Centre, one of the UK’s leading construction training providers, in partnership with Places for London, Ballymore and Barnet Council, and with engagement from Brent Cross, is bringing a new community-focused green skills training facility to Station Road, Edgware.

Through collaboration with local employers, Barnet Council and the community, this state-of-the-art facility has been designed to build opportunities and transform lives by equipping local residents with essential skills in green construction, insulation, and interior systems, directly addressing the needs of the construction industry.

It offers employer-led, flexible programmes that aim to actively address the UK’s construction skills gap while benefiting the community of Edgware and its surrounding areas. 

The new centre, on Places for London land, will offer north London residents entry-level pre-employment programmes, interior systems bootcamps and apprenticeships, management, and supervisor training and CSCS testing. Learners will have the opportunity to progress through multiple levels of funded training to launch and grow sustainable construction careers. 

It is already making a positive impact on the local community in Edgware and across Barnet.

One individual who has benefitted is Simon, a 25-year-old Hendon resident who applied to work on the fit-out through Barnet Council’s Care Leavers scheme. Simon gained vital new skills through the project from carpentry to electrical skills. The role has given him the necessary experience to progress with his Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Card and he’s looking forward to using his experience as a springboard to take his NVQs, continue expanding his skills and eventually starting his own business.

Speaking about his experience, Simon said: “The construction skills and experience I’ve got here are really valuable, not only are they helping me get the necessary qualifications I need to build my career but they’re also practical skills that are helping me become more self-reliant and save money at home.

“A lot of young people might not see construction as a career path they want to take as it takes time and effort to build the skills you need, but if you’re patient and work hard, it can change your life.”

As well as Simon’s story, Andre and Tariq, students at Barnet and Southgate College are taking part in work placements on the site, balancing the practical experience on-site with their Level 3 electrical installation courses. The two students have been working on the site two days a week, learning new skills and how a busy commercial site works.

As Andre notes, “It’s a great stepping stone to challenge yourself and build a career.” Tariq agreed with this, adding: “I want to be a master in one skill but get experience in everything so I can futureproof my career and the experience here’s been great for that, I can do a bit of everything and it helps you understand where you see your future.”

Since May the Skills Centre has delivered:

• Four successful insulation boot camps

• A "Women into Construction" programme with 15 participants, six of whom have already secured employment

• Hands-on work experience during the centre’s refurbishment for a local care leaver from Barnet Council, and six electrical students from Barnet and Southgate College.

Building on the Skills Centre’s expertise in training skilled workers for the construction industry, the centre has been set up to look to the future of Edgware as Ballymore and Places for London have now submitted their outline planning application for the comprehensive regeneration of The Broadwalk Centre site and neighbouring Transport for London land. The wider plans will see £1.7billion invested in Edgware, adding £80m Gross Value Added (GVA) to the local economy and create more than 1,400 full-time jobs. In advance of the development coming forward, the Skills Centre will equip the next generation of workers with vital skills, particularly across the built environment and sustainability sectors.

Ballymore and Places for London’s ambitious wider masterplan for the site proposes to deliver 3,365 new homes, including 1,150 affordable homes, and 463 student accommodation spaces. A significant increase in green space for the town centre includes a new Deans Brook Nature Park, which is to be created by unlocking land which has been inaccessible to the public for almost 100 years.

These plans for Edgware are a major contribution to the 20,000 new homes and 50 per cent affordable housing across London that Places for London will be providing.

The launch event for the Skills Centre brought together local politicians, including the leader of Barnet Council, Barry Rawlings, a range of stakeholders, partners, and industry leaders who share The Skill Centre’s vision for empowering local communities 

Attendees had the opportunity to explore the facility, meet the team, and learn more about the innovative and impactful programmes. The event also included presentations from key partners and success stories from individuals who have already benefited from training.

The opening of The Skills Centre Edgware marks its fourth exclusive training centre and 11^th delivery location nationwide and is one of four specialist facilities in London, with centres also available in Southwark, Stratford and Earl’s Court. This is the third site that The Skills Centre have provided in partnership with Places for London.

Jon Howlin, CEO of The Skills Centre, said of the new facility: “We’re delighted to be opening the doors to a new training facility for the community in Barnet. Those looking to start or grow a career in construction can find so many opportunities through The Edgware Construction Training Centre, and can develop new skills while meeting with local, recruiting employers.

“Building on the success of The Skills Centre's sites in Stratford, Southwark and Earls Court, the new North London space will specialise in green construction skills and will offer a gateway to the industry that is sorely needed.

“Our ambition is to support a minimum of 300 local residents each year with their career progression and skills development, and we already have training rigs set up in live construction areas that replicate London’s built environment so that anyone learning can hit the ground running once they start work.”

Graeme Craig, Director and Chief Executive Officer at Places for London said: “We are so pleased to be able to support local people learn new skills. We are investing heavily in Edgware to create a whole new town centre and vibrant local economy, and this is a great facility that people can just drop in to and begin their journey with training and job opportunities. Working with the Skills Centre, we are providing training opportunities across London with 8,000 people trained so far, 3,000 people have secured jobs as a result of this training.”

Simon Ryan, Developments Director, Ballymore: "The opening of The Skills Centre is truly worthy of celebration. This facility, and all those who work within it, will have a direct and positive impact on Edgware and its community. Whether that be through training or employment opportunities for local people, or through projects like the planned refurbishment of existing housing stock, which will improve standards of accommodation of council-owned homes in and around Edgware, as well as ensuring they are more energy efficient." 

For further details on The Skills Centre Edgware, click here.