New construction skills centre opens in Salford to support residents into training and work

Salford City Council has officially opened the Peel Green Construction Skills Centre – a newly-restored space designed to support residents into construction training and employment.

The centre is the former Peel Green House in Eccles, which has been transformed from a disused building into a dedicated construction training hub. It will offer hands-on skills development tailored to the modern construction industry, including training in innovative techniques like brickslips and spray plastering. 

The refurbishment was made possible through a partnership between Salford City Council, education providers, employers, and third sector organisations, with materials generously donated by local employers such as F&T Terrix, Complete Wall Solutions Ltd (CWS), Domis, Procure Plus, and John Turner.

Donations included a spray plastering machine, a plastering bay, and materials used to renovate different breakout areas. Renovation work was led by Gary Watson, Director of Frameworks Social Enterprise CIC, working alongside local, young residents who have been supported into construction training programmes at the centre by Salford Employment Hub. The result is a purpose-built space designed to support the next generation of construction talent.

The transformation of the space is part of Salford City Council’s wider commitment to good growth and improving residents’ access to employment and training, especially in key growth sectors. In Salford, jobs in construction and development have increased by 23%¹ since 2019, meaning there are approximately 12,000¹ jobs in construction across the city.

At the launch event on Tuesday 10 June, attendees heard from various partners about the site’s history and its transformation into a centre for skills and opportunity. Gary Watson, Director of Frameworks Social Enterprise CIC, shared updates on current training programmes, plans, and recent outcomes for residents accessing training from the centre.

One resident benefiting from the new facility is Tallulah, who recently joined a brickslips training programme based at the centre after attending a Meet the Employer event hosted by Salford Employment Hub.

Speaking at the launch, Tallulah explained how the hands-on, practical nature of the training is exactly what she had been looking for in a career.

I’m not really one to just stand still. I love being active and seeing the finished product at the end of a job. It’s about keeping customers happy and taking pride in your work.”

As well as learning modern methods of construction like brickslips, Tallulah said the training has helped build her confidence in what local employers look for when applying for jobs.

The training here has prepared me for work by showing me exactly what companies are looking for by being on time, working hard and being part of a team. It’s things I know I can do, but it’s good to hear that encouragement from employers.”

Tallulah recommended anyone thinking about training in a new skillset to 'take the leap', sharing her own experience of struggling to find the right opportunity before connecting with Salford Employment Hub and local training providers.

I kept feeling like I was stuck at dead ends, but once I met the right people and put myself out there, things started to happen. Hopefully, this will lead to something permanent, and that’s exactly what I’ve been after.”

Councillor Teresa Pepper, Lead Member for Skills, Work and Business Support at Salford City Council, said:

The Peel Green Construction Skills Centre is a vital investment in our communities and the future of our local economy. It will help remove barriers and open up real opportunities for residents to gain confidence, learn new skills, and move into good-quality work in construction. I’m delighted to see this facility open and ready to serve our city.”

The centre will act as a base for Build Salford construction skills programmes run by Frameworks and other partners, offering support to residents at all stages – from school leavers to adults looking to retrain.

¹ Source: Business Register and Employment Survey and UK Business Counts (ONS).

Learn more about skills and work in Salford on the newly-launched Salford Skills and Work website.