A £1M training centre for the construction industry is to be built in Oxford, writes David Duffy.

The Heart of England Training and Enterprise Council has led a successful bid for £248,500 from the Department of Education and Employment Skills Challenge Fund towards the cash needed to establish the new centre.

The main partners in the venture are Oxford City Council, which is contributing £616,000 capital for land and premises, Oxford Co-operative Development Agency, which is to invest £20,000, the TEC £40,000 and Wilmott Dixon Housing, of Upper Brook Street, London, which is to contribute £25,000 to set up the centre and to pay for initial operating and marketing costs.

The centre is expected to be built in East Oxford and serve Oxfordshire and the surrounding area.

It will bring together and add to the range of training already undertaken by the regeneration partnerships in Blackbird Leys and Barton areas of Oxford, and that of the Oxford Foyer youth partnership. TEC chief executive Barrie Giles said: "This is terrific news because there is a vital need for the centre, not only to address short-term skills shortages, but just as importantly the growing need to support local social and economic regeneration init- iatives.

"Once it is established, the centre will offer a training service to building employers and individuals seeking new or updated skills. A joint venture company will be formed, with the aim of the centre becoming self-supporting within three years." of opening."

The Oxford Construction Training Partnership has the support of the Construction Industry Training Board, the Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry and leading Oxford training organisations.

Mr Giles added: "The partners wish to see these increasing opportunities benefit local small employers."

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