Opening of new EU-backed learning academy

3 Apr 2014 04:18 PM

A former library in Newport which has been transformed into a new learning hub thanks to EU Funds has been unveiled by Finance Minister Jane Hutt 

The venue, now known as the Pillgwenlly Community Learning Academy, will once again play an important part in the life of the community, providing skills and training opportunities for the local people.

After a new library opened in nearby Commercial Road, the building in Temple Street was refurbished thanks to the EU-backed Pillgwenlly Regeneration Project, a £6.7 million scheme, delivering improvements to the area to boost business and benefit the local community.

It is led by Newport City Council and backed by a funding package from Welsh Government with support from the European Regional Development Fund and the Targeted Match Fund.

The council is working in partnership with training experts Itec who provide courses for local people in state-of-the-art training rooms.

Finance Minister Jane Hutt said:

"This is another example of the benefits of EU Funds and our membership with the EU. I am delighted that we have been able to invest EU resources to support this vital regeneration programme which will help secure a more prosperous future for the people, businesses and the community of the Pill area of Newport."

Councillor Deborah Davies, Newport City Council’s cabinet member for skills and work, said:

"One of our priorities is to help our residents into rewarding and sustainable employment and we are doing everything we can to provide them with the skills and training they need to do that.

"We are grateful to the Welsh Government for the funding which enabled the vision of this learning academy to become a reality and to our partners Itec for the expertise they are able to offer to those undertaking training and courses."

Councillor John Richards, Newport City Council’s cabinet member for regeneration development, added:

"The Pillgwenlly Regeneration Project is making a huge difference in one of the most deprived areas of the city.

"The refurbishment of the former Pillgwenlly library to create this fantastic facility for residents; the revamp of properties in Commercial Road and the improvements to the public realm, including the opening up of Mariner’s Green to provide a better link between Pill and the city centre."

Ceri Murphy, managing director of Itec, said:

"We are proud to play a part in this exciting project.  It is an excellent example of how the public and private sectors can work together to benefit local communities.

"Vocational skills have the potential to transform the lives of Pill’s residents by supporting them on their journey into sustainable employment.  This facility will hopefully be a catalyst for that transformation."

Guests at the launch event were shown around the impressively refurbished building and met some of the learners who have enrolled on training courses.