Kidderminster College was proud to welcome Minister for Skills Baroness Jacqui Smith, to its state-of-the-art Green Technology Centre (GTC) last week, a facility at the forefront of sustainable skills training in the West Midlands.
The Minister was greeted by Kidderminster College Principal Cat Lewis, Executive Principal Tony Lewin (NCG) and Head of Construction & Automotive at Kidderminster College Catherine Williams before touring the £4 million facility on Stourport Road.
Officially opened in 2025, the Green Technology Centre now supports over 500 students, offering cutting-edge training in sustainable construction, automotive and green technologies.
The centre was made possible through funding from the UK Government’s Getting Building Fund via Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the Department for Education’s Local Skills Improvement Fund, and support from the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.
During the visit, Minister Smith met with students and staff, observed practical demonstrations in bricklaying, carpentry, electrical installation, and motor vehicle respraying, and even got hands-on, trying her hand at carpentry, electrical rewiring, and bricklaying activities alongside students.
Reflecting on the visit, Principal Cat Lewis said: “We were delighted to welcome Minister Smith to our Green Technology Centre, where we showcased Kidderminster College’s leadership in tackling regional skills gaps across sustainable construction, automotive, and green technologies.
“It was particularly pleasing to see the Minister engaging with our learners and colleagues, taking time to speak with them and try out some of the activities, a real endorsement of the transformative work happening here.
“This state-of-the-art facility is not only helping to drive the transition to cleaner, greener technologies across Worcestershire and the wider region, but is also central to our mission to widen participation. We are committed to attracting more women into traditionally male-dominated sectors by providing inclusive, technology-enabled learning environments that inspire and empower.”
The Minister spent time talking to students about their experiences and the skills they’ve developed while studying at Kidderminster College. Among them was bricklaying student Lauren Robinson, who spoke enthusiastically about her time at the Green Technology Centre: “I wanted something more hands-on, so studying at the Green Technology Centre has been amazing. The atmosphere here is really positive, the environment is helpful, and the teachers are lovely.
“I always get good feedback, which makes me proud of the work I’m doing. In the future, I see myself on site, developing my skills and progressing in my career.”
Reflecting on her visit to the Green Technology Centre, Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said:
“Just this week, the Prime Minister made clear that colleges like Kidderminster are at the heart of our mission to boost the economy through our Plan for Change.
“I loved speaking to Lauren, Cat and the other students and staff about how much they enjoyed their training and how it will help them to get into great careers that they feel passionate about in the exciting clean energy sector.
“This government continues to support further education and skills. We will invest almost £800 million extra into funding for 16-19-year-olds in the 2026/27 financial year, helping colleges to break down barriers to opportunity for young people in Worcestershire and all over the country.”
The Minister also met with employer partners, including Dan McCann, Head of Skills Development at Halfords, who spoke about the importance of the College’s role in developing local talent. Dan said: “Through our partnership, we’re seeing first-hand how the College equips the next generation with the skills, mindset, and adaptability to thrive in a world that’s changing faster than ever.
“The collaboration between Kidderminster College and Halfords is a shining example of how education and industry can work together to build a strong, future-ready skills pipeline.”
