Training centre poised for cash boost

Breckland councillors are poised to approve a £50,000 grant bid towards a pioneering training centre aiming to give disaffected youth a better chance in life.

Breckland councillors are poised to approve a £50,000 grant bid towards a pioneering training centre aiming to give disaffected youth a better chance in life.

A large number of partners are backing proposals for the £2m skill centre at Wayland Community High School which would teach hundreds of young people trades such as plumbing, carpentry or bricklaying.

Work has been going on for several years on the project which could open as early as next year.

Partners have recently submitted a match-funding application and councillors are considering whether to approve the £50,000 grant from the authority's capital match funding reserve.

The 657sqm centre would help tackle rural deprivation and low skills while helping with regeneration and getting young people into work.

It would offer a range of qualifications, including diplomas BTECs and Practical Learning Opportunities courses. It is hoped the centre will be opened in 2009/10 and initially offer places to 75 school age youngsters plus more than 40 for older students/adult learners.

By 2011/12 the total could reach 350, including 250 school age students.

Partners say the centre will help develop a pool of trained and highly skilled young people.”

The funding bid will be discussed at the council's cabinet meeting on Tuesday.