£500k University of Wolverhampton apprenticeship hub under way at former Wolves match day pub

The revamp of the former Wolves match day pub, The Feathers, started this week, with an official opening planned for the summer.

The project will include £200,000 of funding from the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership.

The 1940s building, in Molineux Street, was bought by the university in 2014. The new hub will become the university's focal point for potential apprentices, employers and learning providers.

Geoff Layer, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, said: "The government is committed to providing three million apprenticeships – the majority of which will be higher level skills - during this parliament with a requirement that courses meet the skills needs identified within each region.

"Degree apprenticeships can be achieved where the qualifications include an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. The University will offer offer technical and professional higher and degree apprenticeships as well as progression from intermediate and advanced apprenticeships - driving up skills levels in the region and responding to the planned introduction of an Apprenticeship Levy from April 2017."

Apprenticeships will also be offered within the university as part of its staff development programme.

The university's first Higher Apprenticeship has already started and is delivered through a Foundation Degree (Science) in Built Environment by the Faculty of Science and Engineering. This will lead to a Higher Apprenticeship in Construction Management delivered in partnership with Wolverhampton Homes, Wakes Construction, Burrows Construction, United Living and EDF Energy.

The Feathers, which lies in the shadow of the Steve Bull Stand, was a popular haunt for Wolves fans until it closed down in 2014.

The hub is the latest project to be announced by the university which is investing £250 million to boost economic growth and job prospects across the Black Country.

Money is being spent on a host of ongoing projects, including the £65m Springfield Brewery construction college and a £10m health college in West Bromwich. The university is also building a £25m science block, as well as an £18m business school.

Earlier this month the Express & Star revealed plans for a £4 million revamp of the food court at the University of Wolverhampton's Millennium City Building, improve the main courtyard area and create better access to the back of the Wulfruna Building, in particular the newly-refurbished Chancellor's Hall.

And last week, work started on the £10.1m Science, Technology and Prototyping Centre being built on land at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park.