Telford College has opened the doors of its new Skills Shop in the town centre, aimed at improving skills and boosting job prospects of people across the borough.
The unit, based inside Telford Shopping Centre, offers training and education opportunities, and showcases what the college has to offer to both learners and employers.
Employers, stakeholders and college partners were among the first to take a look round the new facilities when it opened for the first time yesterday.
Telford College’s executive director of employer engagement and partnerships, Sarah Davies, said: “Opening this town centre shop is about removing barriers.
“Not everyone feels comfortable walking onto a large campus, but they will happily step into a friendly, accessible space in their local shopping centre.
“By being right in the heart of the community, we’re making it easier for people to explore the training and support that can genuinely change their lives.”
The shop offers a range of services, including a new retail and hospitality academy to support businesses in the Telford Centre looking to train and upskill their staff.
The unit is also the base for Telford College’s new youth employment hub delivered in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions.
Sarah added: “We’re really excited about what this can bring, not just to young people in Telford, but people of all ages when it comes to boosting skills and workforce development.”
The unit, which will be open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and Saturday from 9am to 2pm, will also offer other vocational learning opportunities – and a chance to find out more about the college’s growing range of hobby-based courses.
Staff will be available to support with apprenticeships, career advice and guidance, with adult learning opportunities on offer, as well as employer engagement activities, recruitment support services and wider community outreach programmes.
Telford College has also launched a new short survey, giving the community an opportunity to have a direct say in shaping the college’s next wave of programmes.
It is designed to learn more about what local residents genuinely want from adult learning, professional development, wellbeing activities and creative or hobby-based courses.