A new centre which will train students in refurbishment skills has been opened recently in Stoke-on-Trent.

The Centre of Refurbishment Excellence, also known as CoRE, is a national establishment which came to a total cost of £11.4m. The first phase of the centre was unveiled by junior communities and local government minister, Andrew Stunnell MP.

The building has been developed in partnership between the Building Research Establishment, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Stoke-on-Trent College. E.ON supported the project as a founding sponsor. The second phase of works will begin this year, which will see the historic Enson Works, a 19^th Century listed building, brought back into use.

The centre is intended to provide a one-stop shop for construction excellence and allied trades, training in preparation for a low carbon sector. Its courses include solar photovoltaics, ground source heat pumps, insulation techniques.

The building itself will act as a research tool, due to its BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. CoRE has a carbon reduction target of over 30% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.

Councillor Ruth Rosenau, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for regeneration said: “The education building at CoRE will provide a first class facility for training in refurbishment skills.”

Sarah Robinson, principle at Stoke-on-Trent College said: “CoRE will be a huge boost to our work to train the skilled technicians and apprentices for the building trade. The trainees will be at the forefront of the workforce using the knowledge they gain to create environmentally sound, sustainable homes fit for the future.”