Worcester City Council has successfully applied for £1m in central government funding to pay for ten more electric charging points, new employment space and facilities to help boost skills in local communities.
The funding, which has been made available through the government's Town Fund Accelerated Fund, must be spent by 31 March 2021.
Six new rapid 50kW charge points and four 22kW charge points will be installed in St Martins Gate Car Park in a bid to support the growing number of people switching to an electric vehicle.
"We are fully committed to improving air quality in Worcester – and providing accessible infrastructure to support the growing number of electric car drivers will help to achieve this," says Cllr Louis Stephen, Chair of Worcester City Council's Policy and Resources Committee.
"We welcome this funding, which will also help more people in the city to develop skills within local communities."
The funding will pay for an extension to the Building Block at Warndon (www.worcestercommunitytrust.org.uk/building-block) - a facility which provides construction skills training in high demand areas such as plastering, bricklaying and plumbing.Extra space will mean up to 580 local people will be able to develop these sought-after skills every year.
Improved computer equipment will also be installed in Warndon Community Trust's six community centres.It will provide internet access for more local people so they can access advice, support and information during and after the COVID crisis.
The equipment will be used in the future by homework clubs, coding and raspberry pi clubs as well as business start-up support – helping to increase the share of young people and adults who have relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
In addition to community training facilities, the funding will also provide additional employment space, supporting the creation of new local jobs in the future.
