Jobs and skills to grow in the Glasshouse thanks to £9million funding from Advantage West Midlands
An exciting development bringing jobs, businesses and training opportunities to the Black Country has been unveiled thanks to £9 million funding from regional development agency Advantage West Midlands.
The Glasshouse Development in Stourbridge will provide space for jobs and businesses; training courses at the Glasshouse College and a visitor attraction with a viewing gallery, heritage trail and café.
Twenty four new and refurbished specialist business units are being built which can be rented by the hour by glassworkers and artists.
The brown-field site development will create new jobs as well as attracting businesses to the town.
Work will begin in the summer of 2009 and is expected to be completed by autumn 2011.
The project, which is to be unveiled at the opening of the British Glass Biennale tonight (August 21) by Dr Richard Hutchins, Corporate Director for Economic Development at Advantage West Midlands, is based within an old crystal glass site with a history of glassblowing dating back to the 17th century.
Dr Hutchins said the funding for the Ruskin Glass Centre site in Wollaston Road, Stourbridge, would create jobs and help to develop skills in the Black Country.
“This investment is about creating jobs and opportunities in Stourbridge,” he said.
“We have low levels of self employment and skills in the Black Country so this development will be a key factor in addressing these issues.
“We have a lack of skills at both ends of the spectrum. Twenty two per cent of people in the Black Country have no qualifications, compared to a national average of 12 per cent. We know that the Black Country has lower than average numbers of graduates so it’s vital we work to increase skills to boost our regional economy.
“The Glasshouse will increase jobs creating wealth for the Black Country economy, while improving the quality of life of people living and working in the region.”
Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho said the Glasshouse Development would provide jobs and much-needed training opportunities.
“I’m delighted to see one of the last remaining glassmaking sites preserved. This is a wonderful opportunity for Stourbridge to build on its reputation and heritage and create a hub for talent and enterprise, as well as a fascinating visitor attraction.”
Janine Christley, Director of the Ruskin Glass Centre, said it was vital to protect the heritage of the site to allow glassmaking to continue in one of the last glass factories in the region.
“We are taking on redundant glassmakers and getting them to work with young people to learn new skills. This funding from Advantage West Midlands will help us to develop a skilled workforce, as well as attracting the best talent to the region.”
Advantage West Midlands has also provided £100,000 of funding to the International Glass Festival, which runs until Monday (August 25).
The Festival includes master classes and workshops and features works from world-renowned artists.
The programme’s highlights include a talk about Tutankhamen’s glass scarab from American scientist Dr Mark Boslough and a presentation on stained glass window makers of the West Midlands.
For further information visit www.ifg.org.uk