After almost 20 years of providing advice and guidance on employment, skills and education to the people of St Helens, Starting Point, part of St Helens Chamber, is entering a new era as work gets underway to transform it into a modern hub for digital skills.
Thanks to funding secured from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Local Growth Fund, this exciting new development will see Starting Point become a modern skills centre leading the way for delivering the skills, knowledge and qualifications demanded by today’s businesses, operating in a digital world.
Whilst the developments take place, the Starting Point team, which provides the National Careers Service in St Helens, will be moving into St Helens Chamber’s main building on Salisbury Street near the World of Glass, and will continue to deliver its full range of services to support local people into jobs or training.
Kath Boullen, Chief Executive at St Helens Chamber, commented: “Starting Point has been a real jewel in the crown at the Chamber for many years, having helped thousands of local people to improve their skills, gain confidence, move into employment and contribute to the local economy.
“This exciting new investment will see not only a physical transformation to the building, but a whole new offer of training, facilities, resources and expertise, designed to provide the skills people need to compete in today’s labour market, opening up a raft of new opportunities and industries.”
As well as being a training facility, the building will also become a hub for local digital talent, opening its doors for local entrepreneurs and businesses in the digital sector to use the facilities.
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor for the Liverpool City Region, said: “These awards have been targeted to support key priorities and ensure we have the spaces and facilities across the City Region to enable all our communities to access the skills and jobs we need to develop in every one of our six boroughs.”
Building work will begin at Starting Point early December with all services moving across to the Chamber building from 27th November. The Chamber Hair & Beauty Academy, which is located above Starting Point will remain open, apart from a short period in December, whilst essential work is completed to the roof.
Any Starting Point customers due to attend appointments or courses after 27th November will now be seen at St Helens Chamber.
For any enquiries please call Starting Point on 01744 698800 or email info@thestartingpoint.org
