KENT Science Park, formerly Sittingbourne Research Centre, has launched a new ICT training facility there which should bring more jobs both on and off the park.

It was officially opened on July 22 as part of Kent New Technology Institute's initiative to promote easy access to ICT training across the county.

Kieran Mansfield from Swale Borough Council said at the launch: "There is a significant lack of educational provision serving the local community and to date no higher education provision. This project has started to make inroads into that gap.

Christina Hart Horn from SEEDA (South East England Development Agency) said: "This brings in higher education in a way that is credible to business. It is a high quality facility but most of all it is accessible."

And Dr Edwina Bell, director at the University of Kent and the Kent New Technology Institute, said: "Sittingbourne is important in its own right and deserves to have some facilities to improve the local skills base."

The ICT unit is a refurbished flexible teaching space, equipped with computers and access to the fast broadband connection recently installed through a SotaConnect Data Centre for an Ethernet Point-of-Presence (POP).

The space is integrated with nearby conference facilities, meeting rooms and the SEEDA Enterprise Hub, which allows businesses to get more information and support from other firms.

Training will be tailored to suit the range of local needs through a combination of workshops and on-line learning.