College puts itself in the shop window

9:00am Saturday 10th May 2008

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Feltham Skills Centre is moving to a brand new flagship site in Feltham High Street.

The agreement between Hounslow Council and West Thames college is still in its early stages but, subject to planning permission, it will see the existing skills centre, in Boundaries Road moved to the new location on the high street. The premises are currently used by the Feltham Community Association.

More than 700 students who attend the college each year will find their vocational courses benefitting from state-of-the-art technology and access to a new learning resource library, funded by the Learning Skills Council.

West Thames College principal Thalia Marriott said she is delighted with the news and believes the new central location will serve the training and educational needs of Feltham community and meet local skills shortages.

She said: "It has been proposed that the Feltham Skills Centre will be open for community use in the evenings in partnership with Hounslow Adult Education Services.

"It will also be a valuable asset to the high street, with a professional hairdressing salon and gourmet café - run by student trainees and industry professionals."

The skill's centre's success was demonstrated at the Skills Game 2008 awards ceremony held at Wembley Stadium in April, where students from the college won gold medals in hairdressing, bricklaying and catering.

Hounslow Council's deputy for education and children, Councillor Paul Lynch, said: "I think it will be a move for everybody's benefit. Certainly West Thames College want to be able to reach out into the community, especially to people not in the job market.

"By being on the high street, the college will be like a shop window, attracting people who may not normally write in for a brocure to find out about courses."

A full consultation meeting will be held prior to planning permission for residents and businesses to express their views on the proposal.

In February, the Isleworth part of West Thames college was given planning permission to build a new campus.