A DEVELOPER has opened a brand new ‘Community Hub’ in Fleet, designed for students who want to learn construction skills in the local area.

On Thursday, May 20, St Edward launched the Community Hub at Hartland Village, its landmark development in Fleet.

The teaching centre aims to provide a safe space where students can get hands-on experience with construction training and demonstrations, as well as short lectures, toolbox talks and theory-based college work with college lecturers and St Edward staff.

The company says students will get a real flavour of life on a construction site as they make the most of the welfare facilities, work experience opportunities and see how the 13-year Hartland Village project evolves in real time.

Executive chairman of St Edward, Paul Vallone, said: "We are thrilled to hand over the Community Training Hub. Our vision is that this will be a place of learning and a place where the community can come together. We believe construction offers a brilliant career and we will be working closely with our partners at Hart District Council, Farnborough College of Technology and Basingstoke College of Technology to support and inspire the next generation of construction hopefuls.”

Virginia Barrett, Principal CEO at Farnborough College of Technology added: “As the local college for Hart and Rushmoor we are pleased to be involved with St Edward’s innovative Hartland Village Community Training Hub. This is a perfect example of employers collaborating to nurture and develop the skills they need. I am therefore thrilled for our students studying in Aldershot who will be able to engage in simulation activities and gain invaluable real work insights from a live site.”

Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) will also be partnering with the site.

Anthony Bravo, college principal, said: "The new Hartland Village Community Training Hub is a really good example of BCoT’s collaborative working with employers and I’m excited to open the facility. The hub is a fantastic opportunity for our learners to have access to a range of contractors and experience a ‘real’ working environment.

“Our students will work closely with St Edward staff, their subcontractors and this will involve visits and tours around the site. We are looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership in training future generations of construction professionals."

St Edward was recently recognised locally for its employment initiatives when it won a Gold award at Hampshire’s Investors in Young People award.

Hartland Village, where the centre is located, is 3 years into its 13-year lifespan which will see 1,500 new homes built, with a village centre, 70-acre Country Park and a bounty of green space for community events and leisure activities.

If you’d like to find out more information about Hartland Village and the training centre, call St Edward on 01252 758844 or visit www.hartlandvillage.co.uk.