Earls Court hub opens to support construction and STEAMMM skills

A new skills centre in Earls Court, West London, has been unveiled by the Earls Court Development Company, Places for London and The Skills Centre.

The training hub will be the focal point for the talent development opportunities generated by the transformation of the former Earls Court Exhibition Centre site.

The regeneration of the 40-acre site will deliver a mixed-use scheme of around 60% residential and 40% commercial, culture, community, and retail space. Construction of the first phase is expected to begin in late 2026.

The skills centre has been established to support individuals across local communities into a range of roles from construction in the short term through to climate tech, creative industries and the wider science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics, media and medicine (STEAMMM) network in the longer term.

Highlighting the scale of the opportunity, which will give access to training for thousands of people over the coming years, Rob Heasman, chief executive at Earls Court Development Company, said: “The Skills Centre enables us to take advantage of the immense opportunity we have here at Earls Court. 

“We will be bringing forward a new neighbourhood, generating significant employment opportunities at every level and responding to the pace of change in terms of environmental awareness. 

“From essential skills across construction and the built environment, to the skills we will need to fulfil our ambition to be a hub for clean and climate tech, the Skills Centre will be central to our plan to deliver the transformation of this fantastic site.”

Jon Howlin, chief executive of The Skills Centre, added: “The centre is designed to offer a diverse range of training opportunities, including classroom qualifications and hands-on skills training in our on-site yard. 

“Our doors are open to anyone interested in a career in construction and the built environment, those seeking opportunities for job progression and, as the development progresses, a wide range of other exciting career options.”