Construction of the first phase of Wolverhampton Council’s City Learning Quarter master plan in the UK has reached a milestone. 

The £8.1m ($10.28m) City of Wolverhampton College Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre is now fully weatherproof. 

This follows the progress made since last October, with contractor Speller Metcalfe overseeing the installation of the steel framework, pouring of concrete slabs, and the construction of both external and internal walls. 

The building is now fully clad, and the roof has been installed.  

City of Wolverhampton College principal and CEO Mal Cowgill said: “Together with Speller Metcalfe, we have been able to offer our construction students a variety of work experience opportunities during each construction phase of the project, with even more set to be created as we move towards completion.” 

Funding for the construction comes from a £7.7m investment by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), supplemented by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership.

The training facility is expected to generate jobs and provide learning opportunities for college students specialising in engineering and automotive, including electric vehicles.

It is intended to provide a workforce with diverse skills, alleviating shortages in the city and facilitating nearly 5,500 learners and 954 apprenticeships over the next ten years. 

Completion of the centre is expected in July this year. 

The master plan has secured a £5m contribution from the Towns Fund, £22m from the national Levelling Up Fund, and an additional £22m from the UK Department for Education.