Westminster Labour today celebrated the opening of the new Green Skills Innovation Centre at the Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES) – a major investment in giving residents the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the growing green economy.
Speaking at the launch, Councillor Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, praised WAES for its vision in creating a training hub designed around the jobs Westminster needs both now and in the future.
“Westminster has more jobs than any borough in the UK, yet too many local people struggle to access the opportunities on their doorstep,” he said. “Our mission is simple: to make sure residents have the confidence, skills and connections they need to land good, secure and future-proof work.”
The new centre will provide hands-on training across a growing range of green technologies — including solar installation, domestic retrofit, carbon literacy, digital and green technologies, AutoCAD and Building Information Modelling (BIM). With new national funding secured this year, WAES will also deliver accredited retrofit qualifications aligned with the latest PAS 2035 standards.
Councillor Barraclough highlighted how the centre supports the Council’s Fairer Westminster strategy and, in particular, its commitment to building a Fairer Economy.
“Too many residents are excluded from the labour market, and too many employers struggle to fill roles. This centre tackles both challenges at once,” he said.
A Centre Built with Employers — and for Local People
The new Innovation Centre is a practical engine for the partnerships Westminster Labour has built through the new Education, Employment and Skills Board and the Westminster Anchor Alliance. These bodies bring together major employers and institutions, including St Mary’s Hospital, King’s College London, Grosvenor, Microsoft, Octavia Housing, The Crown Estate and British Land.
By aligning skills provision with employer demand, Westminster aims to create clear routes into real jobs, particularly in sectors like green technology, that are expected to grow rapidly as the city works towards Net Zero.
A Proven Service That Changes Lives
WAES already has a strong track record of supporting residents who face significant barriers to employment. Two-thirds of its learners come from Westminster’s most deprived wards, and the service consistently helps people build confidence, gain qualifications and move into meaningful work.
“The Green Skills Innovation Centre strengthens that mission,” Councillor Barraclough said. “Today isn’t just the opening of a new facility, it’s the start of a new future for many local people.”
A Labour Council Delivering Opportunity
The launch follows a series of Westminster Labour initiatives aimed at widening access to skills, improving job security and ensuring that economic growth benefits the whole community. The new Green Skills Innovation Centre is another step in ensuring that local people are equipped for the jobs of the future.