Bassetlaw District Council has officially opened its state-of-the-art skills and education hub, The Bridge Skills Hub, in the centre of Worksop.
The Council were awarded £3.5million from D2N2’s ‘Getting Building Fund’ to refurbish the long-term vacant building, creating an opportunity to support 300 learners across a range of subjects including health and social care, leadership and management.
The Bridge welcomed its first students, businesses and learners to its modern and inspirational building in April last year. During the first year, the Hub has seen 80 students enrol on higher education programmes, including higher-level apprenticeships, foundation degrees, access to HE courses and degree top up courses. Over 450 participants have attended Futures’ Restart Scheme, with over 85 of these now in employment.
Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Jo White officially opened the Bridge, supported by Dr Victoria McGregor-Riley, Locality Director, Bassetlaw Place Based Partnership, Dr Sam Debbage, Director of Education and Research, Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust and Kelly Turkhud, Vocational Education Manager, Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust.
Cllr White, Cabinet Member for Regeneration said: “It has been wonderful to see The Bridge Skills Hub transform from a neglected building into a modern education and training facility. The creation of the Skills Hub has provided local people with the chance to advance their education and skills. This is about raising aspirations and creating new opportunities and choices to advance and change careers.
“It gives me great pleasure to officially open the building today and I want to extend my thanks to D2N2 and RNN Group for sharing the vision with me four years ago and making this centre possible.
“I want to wish all our existing students good luck in their courses, and look forward to seeing many more students, businesses, training providers and events coming through the doors, for many years to come.”
Dr Victoria McGregor-Riley, Locality Director, Bassetlaw Place Based Partnership said: “This fantastic facility gives people access to education and training that will support them, and hopefully, result in them finding health and care employment here in Bassetlaw. It is wonderful to see The Bridge officially open.”
Dr Sam Debbage, Director of Education and Research, Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust said: “I am pleased to be here to officially open The Bridge Skills Hub today. It has long been established that having a job improves health, and vice versa. We look forward to seeing more people enter The Bridge to study and increase their skills and the opportunity towards a career in health and care, including the roles wider than that of the traditional clinical role.”
Jason Austin, CEO and Principal, RNN Group said: “I am delighted on behalf of the RNN Group to be supporting this formal launch of the Bridge Skills Hub today as the first provider to sign up to delivering HE courses here last year.
“RNN Group truly believes in delivering innovation and skills in our communities and we are so proud to be able to have extended our HE offer here after the success of our offering at University Centre Rotherham.”
To make enquiries about booking space or becoming an education or training provider at The Bridge, please contact skillshub@bassetlaw.gov.uk or call 01909 384802.
