New £2.5m scheme aims to tackle skills shortages

The new training centres will aim to improve skills in industries including the construction sector, the government said

Fourteen new training centres are going to be launched as part of a £2.5m scheme to improve skills in certain industries with a focus on "green" technology.

The money from the government will be used to help the manufacturing, engineering and construction sectors, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said.

The centres will be opened in Shropshire and Herefordshire.

About £1.2m of the total funds will be spent on new equipment with the rest going towards developing the courses and staff training.

Within the construction industry, the training will focus on environmental technologies, the Department for Education said.

The centres, run as part of the Marches Education Partnership, will hold about 30 new courses and work with local employers to meet their skills shortages, Mrs Keegan said.

“This investment is about boosting local industries, building people’s skills and ultimately future-proofing our economy and the career prospects of the next generation," she added.