Pupils from across Southampton will soon be given the
opportunity to attend vocational courses at a new Ł410,000 skills
centre to be built on Bitterne Park School’s site.The council has given approval for the centre which will be managed by Southampton City College and will prepare students for a career in the construction industry. The centre will aim to raise standards among 14 to 16-year-olds, develop their skills and improve their career prospects.
It will offer students expert tuition, and will incorporate employment training and local industry.
The decision to approve the new skills centre was made at a Cabinet meeting on Monday July 16. Councillor Peter Baillie, Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Learning, said: "The qualifications that 14 to 16-year-olds will receive from this skills centre will have a real standing with employers and will motivate and engage students for possible further education.
"This is just one example of how the city council and schools are working with other educational establishments and businesses to provide a varied and fulfilling education for the children of Southampton."
A group of 14-year-old pupils a number of secondary schools have already been identified to participate in a BTEC Diploma in Constriction from September 2007. They will begin their studies at the college in St Mary’s and transfer to Bitterne Park once the skills centre is completed in 2008.
The total funding for the skills centre is Ł410,000, of which Ł100,000 comes from Southampton City Council’s New Deal for Schools grant. Southampton City College will also be providing Ł50,000 worth of vocational equipment and facilities.
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