Funding doubt over Olympics construction training centre

A training centre aimed at providing East Londoners with skills for Olympic construction jobs may not be built due to a funding shortfall.

The National Skills Academy for Construction in Leytonstone was supposed to be completed this year, reports the Waltham Forest Guardian.

But following the spending freeze by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), which also threatens the National Construction College, an application for a £5.9m grant to fund construction of the centre now looks in jeopardy.

A spokeswoman for the LSC said: “This project was approved in principle but it has not yet had approval in full.

“The LSC is currently consulting with the Association of Colleges and other key sector organisations on proposals and a strategy for prioritisation for future projects.”

The site is currently empty. A number of “potentially hazardous hollow areas” have been discovered", according to the Guardian, which are currently being filled.

The land is owned by energy firm and Olympic sponsor EDF, which signed a 10-year lease in May 2008.