JTL has officially opened its new training centre in Medway, following a £2m investment to expand electrical training across Kent.
The centre, located at Sun Pier in Chatham, was formally opened at a launch event. The event was attended by mayor of Medway, councillor Douglas Hamandishe, Sir John Low, chair of the JTL Board, and Chris Claydon, JTL’s chief executive, alongside employers, industry stakeholders and local skills representatives.
JTL stated that this investment has transformed the building previously occupied by BBC Radio Kent into a modern training facility. The centre has capacity to train upwards of 200 apprentices each year, directly supporting the regional economy and providing opportunities for those Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs). It features fully equipped electrical training bays providing industry-standard equipment, as well as a hybrid classroom for practical and desk-based learning, four classrooms, an Inspection and Test area, exam room and End Point Assessment (EPA) preparation area.
The centre supports apprentices from across Kent and the South of England and aligns closely with regional skills priorities in construction and retrofit. There are plans for the centre to provide plumbing apprenticeship training in the future.
Guests at the official opening event were invited to tour the new facilities, meet JTL apprentices and training staff, and see how the new centre is preparing learners for real-world work environments. The event also provided opportunities for employers and local partners to network and explore how JTL supports businesses with apprenticeship recruitment and training.
Employers in the electrical sector are predominantly Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). This event provided opportunity for employers to meet young people interested in starting an apprenticeship and visit exhibition stands from suppliers and manufacturers including Edmundson Electrical, Milwaukee, JIB, Scolmore and Schneider.
The mayor of Medway said: “It was a pleasure to attend the official opening of JTL’s Medway centre. Facilities like this are vital in ensuring young people and career changes can access high-quality technical training, while supporting the development of skills needed for the future. It was fantastic to meet some of the brilliant apprentices and the employers they are working for and to hear how they will all benefit from JTL’s new training centre.”
Sir John added: “The new Medway centre demonstrates JTL’s long-term commitment to the highly skilled trades of electrical services, and to investing in the future of the region. By providing apprentices with access to industry-standard equipment and specialist training in occupations in desperate need of skilled tradespeople, we’re helping to address skills shortages while supporting the UK’s journey towards a more sustainable built environment.
“Each apprenticeship depends on employer backing to give them the work placement so we are committed to supporting employers in meeting demand, and pressing the government to make these commitments a reality.”
The refurbished Medway training centre is now fully operational and welcoming apprentices, employers and partners from across the region.