A NEW Green Technology Centre which cost £4million has officially opened at Kidderminster College.
It aims to provide an immersive and hands-on learning experience with sustainability embedded into the curriculum.
The centre was developed in direct response to the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and the region’s increasing need for green skills and technologies.
The centre aligns with the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) strategic vision to prioritise sustainability in the region and Kidderminster College’s own commitment to Net Zero.
It was officially opened by the renowned designer and founder of Hemmingway Design, Wayne Hemingway.
He sees Kidderminster by 2040 as a town of sustainability, creativity, and inclusivity.
College principal Cat Lewis said: “We are committed to being part of a cultural change.
“This centre will play a vital role in encouraging and empowering more women to enter and thrive in construction and technical careers, as well as those with additional needs, and we are proud to be a part of that shift.”
Halford’s head of skills development, Dan McCann, touched on how sustainability is now at the heart of skills for the future.
He said: “Colleges like Kidderminster are not just places of learning, they are engines of transformation.
“You are equipping the next generation with the skills, the mindset, and the adaptability to thrive in a world that’s changing faster than ever.”
Gary Woodman, chief executive of Worcestershire LEP, reinforced the centre’s value; “Construction and automotive are cornerstone sectors for Worcestershire, and this centre responds directly to skills shortages that risk holding our region back.
“It’s about more than qualifications – it’s about building capacity, talent, and resilience into our local economy.”
Vehicle Respraying student Ethan Taylor said: “The Green Technology Centre makes me feel more prepared for the future thanks to its excellent facilities.
“It really feels like working in a real work environment.”
Whilst equipping students with the skills and tools for a career in sustainable construction and automotive engineering, the building also incorporates sustainable features such as solar panels, water-saving systems, and light sensors to further reduce the college’s environmental impact.
