College's second training centre opens

Courses offered by City of Wolverhampton College to give people the skills needed to build a career in the rail and infrastructure sectors are set to be expanded with the opening of an additional training site in Dudley. 

 

The college and its infrastructure training partner, National Infrastructure Solutions (NIS), has taken over space at the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO)'s Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre in Zoological Drive, enabling it to train more local people to meet the demand for skilled operatives to work on the construction and maintenance of train lines, tram routes and stations across the region. 

 

Rail training courses are available for newcomers to the sector, as well as those already working in the industry who want to upskill and develop their knowledge further. 

The centre will also offer free programmes to people who are registered as unemployed through a sector-based work academy programme (SWAP). The six-week scheme will offer pre-employment training, on-site work experience and a guaranteed job interview with an industry employer looking to recruit new staff. 

 

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair, said, “Demand for skills in the rail industry is at an all-time high, buoyed by the expansion and improvement of rail lines and stations, the Metro network and, of course, HS2. 

 

“We’ve been able to fund and support courses providing high-quality and specialised training to meet the demand emanating from the rail, utilities and civil engineering sectors. 

“It’s a wonderful way to upskill our workforce and I cannot wait to see lives changed for the better in the months and years ahead. I look forward to local people making the most of the plethora of opportunities a golden age of rail in our region creates.”