A new skills and training hub is helping create pathways into construction careers for local people as work continues on Coventry’s transformative City Centre South regeneration project. Officially opened on 18 September, The Skills Centre will provide residents, particularly young people and those looking to develop new skills, with opportunities to gain training, build experience and access employment in the construction sector. Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, attended the event to mark the milestone.
The Skills Centre has been established at City Centre South, a transformational project being delivered by The Hill Group in partnership with Homes England, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Coventry City Council, which will see a large proportion of the city centre rebuilt to create homes and a new commercial quarter for the city.
Developed by the WMCA in partnership with one of the UK’s leading construction training providers, The Skills Centre, and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the centre offers local people a free pathway into construction careers through industry-leading training programmes, apprenticeship opportunities, as well as providing upskilling opportunities for those already in the sector. The programmes are funded by the WMCA, with CITB supporting delivery through its training organisation.
During the opening ceremony, the Mayor cut the ribbon to mark the official opening and met members of the first cohort of learners to complete the centre’s initial four-week construction programme. The students have successfully achieved their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards, enabling them to work on construction sites and take their first steps into employment within the industry.
Photo above – Andy Hill, founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group with the first cohort of students at The Skills Centre
Once fully operational, The Skills Centre will offer a wide range of training opportunities, from entry-level programmes through to NVQ Level 7 qualifications, supporting learners to develop careers across a range of construction and built environment disciplines.
In Autumn 2025, the Mayor announced a £75 million skills package as part of the WMCA’s Construction Skills Action Plan. The funding will support the training of more than 12,000 people over the next three years, helping to tackle the region’s shortage of construction workers in jobs such as bricklaying, engineering, design, plastering and painting responding to the growing demand across the region for skilled construction workers.
The investment is being driven by plans for 12,200 new homes across the region each year, a £2.4 billion transport infrastructure programme, flagship developments like the East Birmingham Sports Quarter and a £160m retrofit project to make thousands of homes more energy efficient.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, 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.”
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.”
Tim Balcon, Chief Executive for 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 provide up to 1,575 new homes, including a mix of studio to three-bedroom apartments designed to suit a diverse community of residents. The first phase will deliver 991 of these homes, alongside 8,000 square metres of new commercial space for shops, hospitality and businesses, and 17,000 square metres of public open space.
