Shrewsbury students see work on £1m Future Centre
Students from two Shropshire colleges came together to see work begin on a £1m project that will help those with special educational needs get into the world of work.
The Future Centre is a joint project between Shrewsbury College and Severndale Specialist Academy.
It is being built at the college's London Road campus, and when it opens in September it will offer a range of vocational courses for up to 80 students aged between 16 and 24.
Specialist tutors will lead classes in subjects including textiles and jewellery making, while there are also plans for students to gain work experience through selling home-grown produce at farmers markets.
Chris Davies, principal at Severndale, said the new centre would build on work that had been taking place between the two institutions over the past two years.
Severndale sixth formers already attend vocational courses at Shrewsbury College's Radbrook and London Road sites, and Mr Davies said they had been "flouishing".
The new centre, he said, would build on this success.
Steve Wain, principal of Shrewsbury College, said: "This project is about breaking down barriers and it will see these Shrewsbury College students with learning difficulties and disabilities, from a range of subject areas, getting work experience and volunteer work and, where possible, qualifications.
"The students will mix across the college and be able to enjoy the whole college experience, accessing the new Learning Resource Centre, the student common room and the sports facilities.
"The courses will develop employability and independence with a range of vocational activities."
The centre is being built with Government money thanks to a bid put forward by Tracey Mullinder, Severndale's business manager, and John Owen, the college's vice principal.
