HS2 Ltd has handed over the keys to the new Euston Skills Centre to Camden Council.

Situated in the construction accommodation building on the site of the old Maria Fidelis School, the new facility will support HS2’s strategic legacy around employment opportunities for local communities and people from disadvantaged and under-represented groups. It will also support workforce requirements for other infrastructure and housing in Camden.

HS2 is providing a total of £4.1million for the delivery and to support the running of the Euston Skills Centre (ESC). Camden Council will be the sole operator of the facility.

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The new centre is situated looking out onto the site where a new HS2 station at Euston is proposed. To support learning, where possible, HS2’s station construction partner, Mace Dragados joint venture (MDjv), has kept utility services and systems exposed to act as a learning aid for students.

The ESC is set across two floors with a double height atrium space serving as the reception entrance. The atrium is south facing and will provide a light and airy welcome to students coming into the new learning facility.

The ground floor is designated as workshop spaces and includes a large covered outdoor workshop which will be used to support learning blockwork, carpentry, and wet trades. Classroom facilities have been built on the first floor.

Enabling works for the development at Euston is ongoing, despite main construction work being paused. The government is now looking at an alternative vision for Euston, including a privately funded station.