Tony Lloyd MP opens Maine Road training centre

Lowry Homes Plc's new training centre has opened on the site of Manchester City FC's former Maine Road stadium to give local people the opportunity to learn construction industry skills.

Lowry Homes Plc's housing development in Moss Side, The Maine Place, is the location for the training centre, which was officially opened by Tony Lloyd, MP for Manchester Central and Chair of the Trade Union Group of Labour MPs on Friday, February 6th.

The new centre will be home to an innovative training programme, delivered by The Manchester College, which will offer 30 training opportunities for local, unemployed residents, enabling them to take advantage of two year brickwork and plastering diploma courses.

The EIC (Excellence In Cities) centre, formerly the Manchester City supporters' shop, has been adapted by Lowry Homes, Manchester City Council and The Manchester College.

Already awarded "Demonstration Project" status by Constructing Excellence, a leading organisation which aims to raise UK construction industry performance, the training centre is now open 21/2 days a week, supervised by Manchester College tutor, Rick Green.

The EIC centre will be staffed on a part time basis by advisors from Job Centre Plus to act as a central point of contact for any vacancies that are registered by contractors on the project, or applied for by local residents through the nearby Job Shop.

Lowry Homes is confident that the training centre will enable them to quickly reach their target of putting 30 unemployed people into training and hope to extend this figure if enough suitable local people show an interest.

Quotes from the Official Opening: Speaking after the opening Tony Lloyd MP said: "Everyone knows that good skills and qualifications are vital in today's world, especially as we face the global credit crunch".

"This training centre provides practical skills for local people who will build the homes and workplaces of the future".

"The Maine Place is a great investment in that future".

Lowry Homes' Land Director, Ian Walker, has been involved in organising the centre and said: "As a Manchester-based developer, Lowry Homes is totally committed to raising standards for as many local people as possible through our Maine Road project - whether by giving priority for residents of Moss Side, Hulme, Ardwick and Rusholme to have "first pick" of our new houses and apartments, or by providing training to transform their employment prospects".

"To assist us in this we are keen to hear from brickwork and plastering contractors who could offer the trainees work experience within their companies".

Councillor Sue Murphy, Executive Member for Employment and Skills, said: "The Maine Place development is a major catalyst to the regeneration of Moss Side and Rusholme".

"As well as helping improve housing quality and choice for existing and future residents it will also help local people to gain new skills which will enhance their employment prospects".

The Manchester College Principal, Peter Tavernor, said: "Unemployed people from the communities of Moss Side and Rusholme stand to benefit significantly from learning skilled trades, such as brickwork and plastering, at our new construction training centre".

"We plan to engage with employers to maximise placement and employment opportunities for our trainees in a bid to facilitate the regeneration of the area.

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