Neath Port Talbot Council is proposing to develop a new pre-16 Vocational Centre at the former Education Learning Resource Centre (ELRS) in Velindre, Port Talbot. The centre plans to support young people aged 14–16 in gaining practical skills, vocational qualifications and pathways to future careers.
The development, which is subject to planning approval, forms part of the council’s Strategic Schools Improvement Programme (SSIP) and aims to repurpose the currently vacant Victorian school building into a modern learning environment.
If approved, the centre will deliver bilingual vocational training across a diverse range of disciplines. These include traditional vocational pathways such as plastering, bricklaying, hairdressing, animal care, and catering while also embracing emerging opportunities through AI, creative industries and digital media. Purpose-built learning pods will provide hands-on, practical training opportunities, helping to strengthen learning pathways and better prepare young people for future employment or further education.
These pathways will also include building work related experiences with local businesses, and utilising new virtual reality opportunities to explore career pathways for future jobs and careers in Neath Port Talbot. It will ensure that learners can utilise the most advanced technology and learn from businesses in the local area working in these fields to help get ready for the careers of the future.
The centre will also feature adaptable facilities that can be used by the wider community, creating a shared space for learning and development.
The proposed net zero design embraces sustainability, with plans to convert hard landscaping into soft, green spaces and transform the external courtyard into a covered area with trees and plants to enhance the learning experience.
The project is aligned with the national qualification restructure set to begin in September 2027 which includes schools having to deliver new vocational qualifications. It will also play a key role in helping schools meet the requirements of the Curriculum for Wales, for those aged 14–16 years old.
Cllr Nia Jenkins, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years, said: “This proposed development is a step forward in how we support our young people in preparing for the world of work.
“As part of our Strategic Schools Improvement Programme, the pre-16 Vocational Centre represents an investment in modern, inclusive education. By creating a centre for vocational learning, we’re not only investing in their futures but also in the future of our communities.”
