Kidderminster College Officially Opens £4 Million Green Technology Centre 🌿
On Thursday 12th June, Kidderminster College proudly opened its state-of-the-art Green Technology Centre (GTC). A £4 million investment designed to equip learners with the cutting-edge skills needed for careers in sustainable industries.
The launch event brought together local government representatives, education leaders, regional employers and national voices in skills and sustainability; all united in celebrating a bold step forward for both the college and the wider region.
A Landmark Investment in Local Futures
The new facility on Stourport Road has been purpose-built to provide immersive, hands-on training in Construction, Automotive, and Green Technologies, with sustainability embedded across all aspects of its design and curriculum. It also features eco-conscious elements such as solar panels, water-saving systems, and light sensors to help reduce the college’s environmental impact.
The Green Technology Centre was made possible thanks to collaborative funding secured through the Government’s Getting Building Fund (via Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership) and capital investment from the Department for Education’s Local Skills Improvement Fund, supported by the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.
Designed in direct response to the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and regional skills priorities, the centre reflects the LEP’s wider commitment to Net Zero and green growth, as well as Kidderminster College’s mission to create opportunity through technical education.
A Vision for Skills, Sustainability and Inclusion
Principal Cat Lewis opened the event with a powerful speech on the future-facing values that define the new space:
“This building is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a statement of intent – about who we are, what we value, and how we are preparing our students for meaningful futures. It reflects the future of education – hands-on, inclusive, employer-informed, and always forward-looking.”
Cat also spoke about the centre’s role in driving cultural change across the sector:
“This centre will play a vital role in encouraging and empowering more women to enter and thrive in construction and technical careers, as well as supporting those with additional needs, and we are proud to be part of that shift.”
National and Regional Voices Backing the Vision
Liz Bromley, CEO of NCG, addressed the crowd, celebrating the impact that technical education can have when shaped by collaboration:
“This centre embodies what can be achieved when communities, educators and employers come together with a shared goal. It’s about giving people a chance to learn, to upskill, and to create a future that’s full of opportunity – not just for themselves, but for the places they live.”
Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire LEP, reinforced the GTC’s economic value:
“Construction and automotive are cornerstone sectors for Worcestershire, and this centre responds directly to skills shortages that risk holding our region back. It’s about more than qualifications – it’s about building capacity, talent and resilience into our local economy.”
Industry in the Room: Skills for a Greener Future
Guests also heard from Dan McCann, Group Head of Skills Development at Halfords, who spoke about the pace of change in green transport and the importance of partnerships between colleges and industry:
“Colleges like Kidderminster are not just places of learning – they are engines of transformation. You are equipping the next generation with the skills, the mindset, and the adaptability to thrive in a world that’s changing faster than ever.”
Dan shared insights from Halfords’ journey toward EV readiness, highlighting the challenges of timing, upskilling, and sustaining green skills and championed apprenticeships as a critical part of the solution.
Official Opening with a Creative Lens
The centre was officially opened by Wayne Hemingway MBE, renowned designer, urban regeneration specialist, and co-founder of Hemingway Design.
Having helped shape the 2040 vision for Kidderminster town centre through past work with NEW Masterplanning and Urban Movement, Wayne brought a bold, national perspective to the day:
“The Green Technology Centre is more than a facility – it’s a space built with purpose, where creativity, sustainability, and opportunity meet. Places like this are how we regenerate, how we inspire, and how we help people build lives that are connected to something bigger than themselves.”
Wayne unveiled the commemorative plaque alongside college leadership, marking the official opening of the facility.
Students and Employers at the Heart
Throughout the event, guests toured the workshops, heard from learners about their experiences, and met local employers who are already working with the college to co-develop the GTC’s offer.
Ethan Taylor, a current Vehicle Respraying student, shared his experience of the new space:
“The Green Technology Centre makes me feel more prepared for the future thanks to its excellent facilities, such as spray rooms, mixing booths, and more. It feels like working in a real work environment.”
With employer-informed curriculum design, inclusive values, and future-ready facilities, the Green Technology Centre is not only a place of learning but a catalyst for regional transformation, career opportunity, and environmental responsibility.
📸 Follow #TeamKC on social media for more behind-the-scenes moments from the event.
