Work has started on a hub in Loughborough that will help equip local people with digital skills for the future.
Loughborough Town Deal is providing £2.6 million for the project to create a Digital Skills Hub at Loughborough College to improve the digital skills of residents to increase their employability. The project will also work with local employers to deliver work placement opportunities.
It is one of 11 projects Loughborough Town Deal is backing after securing £16.9 million of Government funding. In total, the projects are worth over £40 million of investment for the town.
Martin Traynor OBE, Loughborough Town Deal chair, said: “It is great news that work has begun to build the Digital Skills Hub at Loughborough College.
“The hub has the potential to be vital to many residents in Loughborough as we are living in an ever-increasing digital world where these skills are so important to have.
“The Town Deal is supporting the project as it is not just about creating a world-class facility here in Loughborough but it will also make a huge difference to the employment opportunities of local residents whilst working with local businesses.
“We are already seeing the positive impact that the Loughborough Town Deal is making through the projects that are being supported and I look forward to seeing the Digital Skills Hub progress at the college.”
Corrie Harris, principal and CEO at Loughborough College, said: “Breaking ground on our Digital Skills Hub marks an exciting milestone in the continued growth of our campus.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Loughborough Town Deal for backing this transformative project. Their support is helping us create an innovative, student-first facility that not only strengthens digital skills, but also opens doors to new opportunities for people across our region.
“By placing students at the heart of everything we do, we’re shaping a stronger, more connected community – one that’s equipped to meet the demands of local employers and thrive in an increasingly digital world.”
The Loughborough Town Deal investment will support the construction of the new Digital Skills Hub building located on the College campus on Radmoor Road as well as classroom furniture and IT equipment.
The hub will contain six classrooms, equipped with state-of-the-art IT equipment. It is expected to be open in November 2025.
The Digital Skills Hub will support the delivery of T Levels, apprenticeships, industry placements and higher technical qualifications to skill-up local people as Loughborough moves into a more digitally-focussed future.
It will also target unemployed and semi-skilled adults to support them into employment.
