A new training centre in Sandwell has started training the next generation of young builders. Training group BCTG opened the doors of its new training centre in Kelvin Way, West Bromwich during February, before the lockdown began.

BCTG is one of the largest independent training providers in England, training over 10,000 young people and adults each year in a range of vocational and technical skills. It covers areas such as health and social care, early years education, engineering, construction, management and business services.

The company works with individuals and employers to deliver the best learning solutions possible. It provides training programmes, apprenticeships and traineeships for young people and offers businesses a free, simple recruitment service.

The West Bromwich training centre is the first in a series of new centres that BCTG is launching as part of £2m expansion programme across the West Midlands. The centres will offer young people between 16 and 18, and adults from 19 plus access to learning across a range of skills, including bricklaying, painting and decorating, plastering, roofing and cladding.

The idea behind the new centres is to support the skills needs across the region by providing easy, flexible access to training at the heart of local communities. There is already demand for young building workers in the region but if HS2 goes ahead the construction industry estimates that it will need an extra 50,000 trained construction workers.

The West Bromwich training centre can cater for up to 40 young people at a time, on 12-week programmes that will get them site-ready and qualified with a CSCS certification so they can start work immediately. The centre will also provide training in various skills to Level 2 and Level 3 NVQ.

In response to the COVID-19 situation BCTG has developed a range of free resources and activities to help families manage their health and wellbeing, materials on how to stay safe online, and help for parents to keep the kids entertained and educated using its Canvas e-Learning platform.

It aims to support its learners, employers and the wider community during this challenging time. For further information visit the BCTG website.

For more details on the training courses to be run at the new centre email enquiries@bctg.org.uk.