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£20million Government funding to transform opportunities locally
Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up with Mike Wood MP and others at Dudley College Venture Way campus following LUF announcement (1)_0.JPG
Mike with Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove, and others at Dudley College Venture Way campus following LUF announcement
Mike has welcomed the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove, to his constituency and cheered a “great new opportunity” for new local jobs and a thriving automotive sector thanks to successful bid for £20m of new Government cash.
The funding has been awarded as part of round three in the Government’s Levelling Up Fund programme which aims to invest £4.8 billion in vital local infrastructure projects across the country to increase pride in place and bring people closer to opportunity.
The successful Dudley South bid will allow the creation of a new Transport Technology Centre within a ‘Brierley Hill Education Quarter’. Once built and operational, locals will be able to benefit from a new offer of training and upskilling in future transport technologies – including electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as the wider applications of electrification for local industries.
Mike said:
“This £20million of funding from Government is huge. The new Brierley Hill Education Quarter not only opens up new career opportunities for young people, but is a vital part in making sure that our local engineering sector – and particularly automotive supply chains – has access to the skills they will need to survive and thrive at a time when vehicle technologies are changing so rapidly.”
On the further aspects of the bid which also incorporate improvements to help people move between the town, the new Education Quarter and Merry Hill, Mike commented:
“The funding will also help to open Brierley Hill town centre, creating nicer places to shop, work or to meet up and making it easier to move safely between the High Street, Venture Way and Merry Hill to take advantage of the new Metro tram line that is on its way. “This is the latest in a string of record investments in our local community that shows that the Government not only recognises the challenges that our towns face but has confidence in our ability locally to deliver the change that is needed.”
Neil Thomas, Chief Executive and Principal at Dudley College of Technology, said:
“I am delighted we have secured the investment in this new facility in Brierley Hill. The college’s vision is to provide a state-of-the-art learning centre offering training and upskilling in future transport technologies. “We will be expanding our current provision by relocating our Wolverhampton Street site, so we support both young people and adults to work with electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as in industries making use of the wider applications of electrification. “It is especially pleasing to see the continued expansion of education in Brierley Hill as a way of providing opportunities for all.”
Tuesday 21st November 2023
A vital part in making sure that our local engineering sector – and particularly automotive supply chains – has access to the skills they will need to survive and thrive at a time when vehicle technologies are changing so rapidly.