Ealing Council has secured £1.38 million from the Education Funding Agency to create a new vocational education centre for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
The plans include refurbishing, remodelling and expanding the Ken Acock Youth and Community Centre, Northolt, so that nearby Belvue School can expand into the site. This will create a job-related training base for 14-19 year olds with learning difficulties. Courses offered could include construction, hair and beauty and glass making.
In addition to the Education Funding Agency money, around £480,000 will come from the council to complete the project.
Councillor Binda Rai, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Ken Acock is not used to its full potential at the moment, but with this investment it can become so much more. Most people with learning difficulties want to work, but they are greatly under-represented in the workforce. There is a pressing need for more training and support as people with learning difficulties reach the last years of school and the creation of this new vocational centre will help them to gain the skills they need to move into paid work.”
