A vacant Victorian school building in Velindre, Port Talbot, could soon be repurposed into a bilingual pre-16 Vocational Centre offering practical training, qualifications, and career pathways for young people.
The scheme, subject to planning approval, is part of the council’s Strategic Schools Improvement Programme (SSIP) and would see the former Education Learning Resource Centre (ELRS) brought back into use as a state-of-the-art learning environment.
(Image: Neath Port Talbot Council)
According to a spokesperson for Neath Port Talbot Council, the centre aims to offer “a diverse range of disciplines, from plastering, bricklaying, hairdressing, animal care, and catering, to emerging opportunities through AI, creative industries and digital media.”
Purpose-built learning pods would provide hands-on, practical training, alongside work-related experiences with local businesses and the use of virtual reality to explore careers of the future.
“We want learners to access the most advanced technology and gain insights from local businesses in these fields, so they are ready for the jobs of tomorrow,” the council spokesperson added.
Facilities would also be available for community use, creating a shared hub for skills and development.
The proposed net zero design includes green landscaping, a covered courtyard with trees and plants, and a focus on sustainability throughout.
The project is designed to support the Curriculum for Wales for learners aged 14–16, and to prepare schools for the new vocational qualification framework launching in September 2027.
