Work begins on major new employment and skills centre

Work has started on a new jobs and skills centre, which aims to encourage new business start-ups.

Building work began on Monday in Temperance Square, Loftus, on the corner of the main junction known locally as ‘Forbuoys Corner’. It is scheduled to be completed in early 2025.

The aim of the project is to reduce unemployment in Loftus and East Cleveland, encourage new business start-ups and increase the number of training and skills courses on offer.

The single-storey building will be purpose-built for training and collaboration with relevant partners such as Jobcentre Plus and Beyond Housing. Parking will be provided to the side at Newcomen Terrace, where the entrance to the building is to be located.

No road closures are scheduled for the works at this stage, but a footpath will need to be closed for a period of time.

A total of £1.8m from the Government’s Future Streets Fund has been committed to the scheme, as well as £1.3m of funding administered by the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Cllr Lynn Pallister, Cabinet Member for Growth and Enterprise at Redcar and Cleveland Council, said: “Helping local people get the skills and training they need for quality jobs is vitally important and will only benefit businesses and our local communities.

“I would like to thank the people of Loftus who have been incredibly patient while the work has been carried out, but they will soon see amazing progress and hopefully it will all be worth it.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “We’re arming more of our people with the skills and support they need every day and I’m proud to be continuing this work in the heart of Loftus.”