County Training waves goodbye to The Hollies in Shrewsbury

After over 20 years of being based at The Hollies in Sutton Road, Shrewsbury, County Training have relocated head office to Shirehall and The Gateway Education & Arts Centre, Shrewsbury.

The relocation was complete in August 2015, enabling County Training to cater to the needs of the ever-changing labour market. Moving from The Hollies has seen staff move into other, more appropriate County Training centres across Shropshire including Hollinswood House in Telford and The Gateway Education & Arts Centre in Shrewsbury. The Talbot Centre in Whitchurch is also scheduled to relocate to a town centre location this autumn.

It’s business as usual for County Training, and the change of premises will simply improve availability for customers within Shrewsbury. Due to the Gateway Education & Art Centre’s location in town, and short distance from the bus and train stations, we anticipate greater access of service for our customers.

Kevin Humphreys, County Training’s business development and performance manager, said:

“We are very pleased to have had the opportunity to relocate to Shirehall, it will see the business working closer together, improving internal communication, which ultimately will enhance our service towards customers.

“It’s sad to see us leaving our home of 20 years, but we’re all excited to see where this new chapter will take us.”

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said:-

“It’s great to see how County Training have moved out of The Hollies so swiftly with minimal disruption to business. The relocation will benefit everyone in many ways, in particular the Gateway’s town centre location having premium transport links.”

County Training, part of Shropshire Council, has been established for 35 years, providing learning, employment and training services to customers across the area. As the largest private training provider in Shropshire they have recruited 5,000 apprentices for local employers since 1998.

Qualifications and apprenticeships at County Training are available in the following areas: English, Maths, brewing, business and administration, childcare, education, computer-aided design (CAD), customer service, hair and barbering, health and social care, equine, hospitality and catering, IT, motor vehicles, management, and warehouse and storage. There is also a wide range of recreational part time courses available at The Gateway Education & Arts Centre in Shrewsbury.

In February 2015 County Training secured a ‘good’ Grade 2 in its Ofsted report, with outstanding grading awarded for health and social care, safeguarding and leadership and management, placing it as a leading training provider in Shropshire.

For more information, please contact County Training on 0345 678 9023 or email countytraining@shropshire.gov.uk.