Bridport Town Council has created a detailed proposition for a learning hub, to encourage and enable local people of all ages to find the training or education that's right for them.

The proposition is outlined in a final report published following a six-month research and development project, exploring the need for investment in skills for the future. 

The learning hub is one of the investment strands identified in the recent Bridport Investment Plan document.

The suggestion comes after a House of Lords Select Committee report on Regenerating Seaside Towns and Communities found: "Young people in seaside towns are being let down and left behind by poor standards in existing provision, limited access to educational institutions and a lack of employment opportunities, resulting in low levels of aspiration.

"Partnership work between schools, FE and HE institutions, and local business and industry will be vital in helping to create career paths, improve local skills levels and boost local economies."

The Bridport Town Council report also outlines a vision for a specialist college that could be developed for Bridport. It also:

• Communicates the proposal to all interested parties
• Sets out the resources required as well as the expected return on investment for those who might support or fund the hub
• Gathers in one place the detail required for those carrying forward the development of the learning hub

A consortia of Bridport businesses will be coming together over the autumn to work with Dorset Council and regional training providers to secure funding to pilot the Bridport learning hub and support development of specialist skills in the area.

Bridport Town Council wishes to thank the Design Exchange Partnership for the funding to research and design, and the UAL Research Team that worked on the project.

You can download the learning hub final report here or for more information contact [email protected]