A £1m training centre for people across the Midlands has been launched in Worcestershire.

The centre, set up by construction company Thomas Vale at its headquarters in Stourport-on-Severn, has been hailed the first of its kind in the UK.

It will open up training opportunities for clients of the Thomas Vale Group, including housing associations and supply firms such as iron manufacturers, to ensure everyone is trained to a top class standard.

It will be managed by Thomas Vale's subsidiary companies, Forum Training and Transform Business Improvement, in conjunction with training bodies and national construction sector groups.

The new three-storey facility was launched by an impressive array of speakers, including Dennis Lenard, chief executive of Constructing Excellence in the Built Environment and Alan Curless, OBE, executive of the Learning & Skills Council for Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

"Thomas Vale is an exemplar benchmark company in relation to the learning and skills agenda," said Mr Curless.

"I'm delighted that it takes training seriously throughout the company."

By taking responsibility for developing its supply chain it helps to ensure the skills of the industry."

Speakers cemented their commitment to the principles that inspired the new building, by joining together to leave handprints in wet cement.

To find out more about the new centre, or to sign up to courses, call Forum Training on 01299 878363 or e-mail info@forumtraining.com