Shropshire Star

Major training centre plans for Telford factory site

Young people’s apprenticeship training could be provided at a Telford factory site, if plans are approved.

Published
Last updated
The Marches Centre of Manufacturing and Technology plans to reclassify this building to include educational use. Picture: Bulleys Bradbury Chartered Surveyors

The Marches Centre of Manufacturing and Technology (MCMT) plans to reclassify the 1,640-square-metre site south of the A464 at Nedge Hill as an 'advanced manufacturing and engineering training centre'.

Applicant Rebecca Phillips. the manager of Walsall-based In-Comm Training and Business Services, said the site would provide “upskilling training for young apprenticeship recruits” as they worked alongside businesses’ existing staff.

Hollinswood and Randlay Parish Council will be consulted about the change-of-use proposal, and Telford & Wrekin Council’s planning department will make its decision at a later date.

Application documents submitted by the company note that the newly-built steel-framed premises, on T54 Business Park, already has permission for “business” and “general industrial use”.

If approved, the training centre would make use of those, but an education use class is also needed.

“The reason for the change of use request for the premises is that we plan to create an Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Training Centre, delivering apprenticeships and upskilling training for young apprenticeship recruits employed by local businesses along with their existing workforce,” a supporting statement says.

“So, whilst the current use classification is correct, we also just need to add education to allow us to deliver the training and skills in the manufacturing process.

“No structural changes will be made to the building.”

The main hours of work would be 8am-6pm on weekdays, but night-time and weekend training sessions would also be arranged, and all 23 of the existing parking spaces would be retained.

MCMT currently operates two manufacturing training facilities in Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury, providing learners and employers with access to apprenticeships and upskilling courses.