State-of-the-art facility will provide upskilling opportunities across social care, digital and construction

A new £9.3m skills and training centre has opened in Cradley Heath.

It offers local residents access to hands-on learning across social care, digital skills and construction.

The Cradley Heath Skills Campus, located on Lower High Street in Sandwell, was delivered by project management consultancy Pulse Consult with support from Sandwell Council and the Towns Fund.

Pulse Consult was appointed under the Medium Works Framework managed by Pagabo on behalf of The Education Alliance.

Spanning three floors, the campus features real-world construction workshop and healthcare suite environments, giving learners practical experience to support their careers. A dedicated café and communal seating area on the ground floor encourage informal collaboration among students.

The building’s exterior also pays homage to the area’s chain-making heritage, connecting the campus to its local roots.

Matthew Taylor, project manager at Pulse Consult, said the project had been about more than bricks and mortar. “Beyond the construction itself, the project has been about fostering collaboration between the college, local authorities and the wider community,” he said.

Lisa Capper MBE, CEO and principal at Sandwell College, said the campus would help residents upskill, reskill and take the next step in their careers.

Cllr Kerrie Carmichael, leader of Sandwell Council, added: “The Black Country is built on our people making things, doing things and being industrious. We have a huge and untapped pool of talent, whatever age you are.”