West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker has opened a new construction skills centre in Coventry, as part of the City Centre South regeneration scheme.
The Skills Centre offers residents – particularly young people and those looking to develop new skills – training, work experience and routes into employment in the construction sector.
It has been established as part of City Centre South, a regeneration project delivered by The Hill Group in partnership with Homes England, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Coventry City Council. The scheme will see a large part of the city centre rebuilt to create homes and a new commercial quarter.
Parker said: “The West Midlands is leading the way in creating opportunities for local people to secure skilled, sustainable careers in construction while helping to deliver the homes, infrastructure and regeneration projects that our communities need and which are integral to my Growth Plan.
“This centre shows what can be achieved when industry and public sector partners work together with a shared purpose. I’ve enjoyed meeting the first cohort of learners who have completed their training and are now ready to start work in the industry thanks to the truly ‘hands-on’ experience they’ve gained here.”
The centre was developed by the WMCA with training provider The Skills Centre and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). It offers a free pathway into construction careers through apprenticeships and industry training programmes, as well as upskilling for those already working in the sector. The programmes are funded by the WMCA, with CITB supporting delivery through its training organisation.
First cohort
At the opening, the mayor cut the ribbon and met the first cohort of learners to complete the centre’s four-week construction programme. The students have achieved their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards, allowing them to work on construction sites.
Once fully operational, The Skills Centre will run training from entry-level through to NVQ Level 7 qualifications across a range of construction and built environment disciplines.
The centre forms part of a wider £75m skills package, announced by the mayor in autumn 2025 under the WMCA’s Construction Skills Action Plan. The funding is intended to train more than 12,000 people over three years, addressing a shortage of construction workers in trades including bricklaying, engineering, design, plastering and painting.
The investment is linked to plans for 12,200 new homes across the region each year, a £2.4bn transport infrastructure programme, the East Birmingham Sports Quarter development and a £160m retrofit scheme aimed at improving home energy efficiency.
Andy Hill OBE, founder and group chief executive of The Hill Group, said: “The Hill Group is committed to leaving a positive legacy in every community where we work. City Centre South represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform this part of Coventry, and we want local people to share in the benefits that investment will bring. The Skills Centre will help create a pipeline of skilled workers for the construction sector while opening doors for people who may never have previously considered a career in our industry.”
Councillor Lynnette Kelly, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change at Coventry City Council, said: “City Centre South will transform the heart of Coventry, creating new homes, jobs and opportunities for future generations.
“This new skills centre ensures local people can play a direct role in delivering that transformation. By providing access to training, qualifications and employment opportunities, we’re helping residents develop the skills needed for successful careers in construction and the wider built environment. We want the benefits of regeneration to be felt by Coventry people, and it’s excellent to see the first learners already taking advantage of these opportunities.”
Long-term commitment
Tim Balcon, chief executive of the Construction Industry Training Board, said: “Addressing the construction industry’s skills needs requires strong partnerships and long-term commitment. Through our support for
“The Skills Centre and our collaboration with the West Midlands Combined Authority, we are helping to create a sustainable talent pipeline that will benefit employers, learners and communities across the region. The Memorandum of Understanding signed today is an important step towards establishing a National Skills Academy for Construction and ensuring the workforce is ready to meet future demand.”
Jon Howlin, chief executive of The Skills Centre, said: “Designed in partnership with employers across the UK, our programmes have a strong track record of helping people gain the skills, qualifications and confidence needed to build successful careers in construction, and we are delighted to bring that experience to Coventry.
“Working closely with the Department for Work & Pensions, NOCN and Sunbelt Rentals, this centre will create real opportunities for local people to access a wide range of career pathways, from skilled trades and technical roles through to supervisory and management positions, ensuring they can benefit from the long-term investment and regeneration taking place across the city.”
Once complete, City Centre South will deliver up to 1,575 new homes, including a mix of studio to three-bedroom apartments. The first phase will provide 991 of these homes, alongside 8,000 sq. metres of new commercial space and 17,000 sq. metres of public open space.
Main image: (Left tto right) Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker; Jon Howlin from The Skills Centre; chief executive of Coventry City Council, Julie Nugent; Tim Balcon from CITB; Andy Hill from The Hill Group; Sam Downton from The Skills Centre; and councillors George Duggins and Lynette Kelly
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