A NEW centre to help inspire the pupils and teachers of tomorrow has been launched in Worcestershire.

Culture minister Sajid Javid officially opened the new facility, which will support and mentor the upskilling of design and technology teachers, at the headquarters of HME Technology on Saxon Park, Bromsgrove

HME Technology supplies design and technology equipment to schools throughout the UK and abroad and the project has been aided by a five figure grant from the Business Innovation Programme, which promotes innovation across the West Midlands by helping SMEs to grow through investment and job creation.

Welcoming Mr Javid, who is also Bromsgrove's MP, HME chairman Martyn Hale said that through the new skills centre, design and technology teachers have access to the latest equipment and will be well versed in current health and safety practices when delivering curriculum. He added: "When they leave here, we want teachers to be inspired to teach the latest techniques to the next generation and give our young people the chance to be aspirational and creational towards engineering."

Richard Green, chief executive of DATA, the Design & Technology Association, said the company had created a unique facility. “We are not aware of another facility like this," he added. "Most teachers’ initial training takes place over one year so facilities like this where they can continue their professional development are a real bonus."