Planning permission is being sought by Sandwell College to set up a new Satellite Education Hub on Lower High Street in Cradley Heath to serve young people and adults

If approved, the new facility would be built on the site of a former carpark being made available by Sandwell Council.

The Hub aims to revitalise the local talent pool by offering various opportunities in areas such as construction, hair and beauty, and health and social care. It would also offer basic education and training in Maths, English, and Digital skills. 

The Hub is one of the 16 Sandwell Towns Fund Partnership projects funded by the government’s Towns Fund programme, which plans to provide opportunities for 16-18-year-olds, 19-24-year-olds not in education, employment or training, and 25+ unemployed adults.

The building will house not only student activity but also be used by external stakeholders such as voluntary and charity sector organisations.

In support of both education and wider community accessibility, the Hub will effectively become a multi-purpose centre attracting a diverse range of users.

The project plans to work with local community groups to provide access to social, medical and other education advice and services – providing a ‘resource centre’ with Sandwell College as the anchor institution. 

The proposed investment aims to provide three programmes to address the barrier to economic growth caused by local skills deficiencies and access to a suitably skilled workforce in the Black Country and locally within Sandwell:

• Essential Skills – access to foundation level with English, Maths and Digital skills.
• Boost – development of pre-access Boost programme providing advanced study skills at Level 3 and access to Higher Education
• Gateway to opportunity – provide Gateway provision which will enable those looking for a new career, a career change or for promotion, to secure a set of job ready skills and access to live job opportunities

An exhibition showcasing drawings and images for the proposed development will be displayed at Cradley Heath Library, Upper High St, Cradley Heath:

Residents are encouraged to visit to find out more about the proposed facility and what it can offer.

For any queries regarding the proposals, please contact jfretter@tandemprojects.co.uk.