Adult learning centre reopens after £500k revamp

An adult learning centre has reopened following a £500,000 redevelopment.

The new Fairfield Centre in Warndon, Worcester, now boasts improved hair and beauty salons, a new extended kitchen, skills garden and meeting rooms.

Worcester mayor Tor Pingree officially declared the centre open at a special event on Friday, which was attended by learners and dignitaries.

Pingree said she was "amazed" by the centre, adding: "It's so wonderful to see this place open and accepting students of all different backgrounds."

The centre offers a range of courses for adults, including many who struggled at mainstream schools and left with no GCSEs.

English, maths and digital skills are all taught to help people improve their skills for everyday life or boost their employability.

Michelle Taylor, curriculum lead for media make-up and beauty, said students were leaving the Fairfield Centre with skills much sought-after by the BBC.

"They are crying out for media make-up artists in the Midlands," she said. "It's really nice to teach in here – it's lovely."

Judy Gibbs, head of skills and employability at Worcestershire County Council, said the centre, first opened in 2007, had been "not fit for purpose".

She said the upgrade had brought the centre "into the modern era of learning and enables us to look differently at our support for young people and adults".

The £500,000 investment came partly from education funding via the county council, she said.

Worcester City Council also provided £50,000 thanks to a Town's Fund grant and public health money was also made available for the project.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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