A college in Kent has been awarded government funding to build a new training facility.

MidKent College in Oakwood Road, Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, has been granted the cash to create a centre to provide hands-on experience in retrofitting energy efficiency measures, such as insulation and energy-efficient boilers.

The funding is part of the £165 million Local Skill Improvement Fund, which is targeted to address the specific skills needs of each region after local businesses and employers identified their priorities through a Local Skills Improvement Plan.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan visited the college yesterday where she was shown around their current facilities which have been funded by the precursor fund to the Local Skill Improvement Fund.

This includes a zero-carbon construction “skills factory” constructed using recycled materials, an “energy centre” which simulates wind power plants and home energy heating systems, as well as an immersive VR classroom.

The Right Honourable Gillian Keegan MP said: “Local businesses have worked together with their chamber of commerce and their colleges and training providers to say, ‘in our area there are these skills that we are missing’.

“Then we make sure we bring the businesses and the education system together so the courses match the jobs that are there in the industry.”

Simon Cook, principal and chief executive at MidKent College said: “We’re thrilled that construction and building services businesses across Kent & Medway will benefit from this investment in retrofit technology and training.

“We know from our conversations with employers that growing skills for sustainable construction practices and improving the energy efficiency of existing housing stock are priorities for the sector here in the Southeast.

“We’re incredibly proud that this new facility will work seamlessly with our Home Energy Centre and Sustainable Construction Skills Factory at the heart of our Maidstone campus, and alongside our own efforts to make the campus carbon neutral by 2030.”