The North Halifax Skills Centre in Ovenden is opening up to the public with its first Skills Festival on Friday 14 July. Learners will be displaying their skills in construction, painting, decorating, hairdressing and beauty at the centre in Calderdale Business Park, Club Lane.

“We’re inviting people to meet our learners and their tutors, watch demonstrations and even try out some of the skills for themselves”, said Ruth Stead, manager of the North Halifax Skills Centre, which is run by Calderdale College. “Sure Start North Halifax is providing activities for pre-school children so that parents can look round, community link workers from Ovenden and Mixenden Initiative are bringing information about how to get involved in community activities in North Halifax and experts will be on hand to help people plan their future learning and careers.

“There are a lot of opportunities here that aren’t generally known about”, she continued. “New courses starting in September include teaching assistant NVQs, life coaching and counselling skills, a course in children’s care, learning and development and British Sign Language. We will also be starting a one-year access course to higher education in social sciences and teaching, and this will be the first time that people will be offered a route to a level three qualification in this area”.

The centre has already welcomed 250 learners through its doors since it was launched last November. Formerly known as ‘Bright Sparks’, the refurbished and rebranded centre houses hair, beauty and construction academies and is currently working on a project involving women-only construction training, as well as a fully equipped IT centre.

Trowel trades demonstrations and ‘try it yourself’ sessions will be running from 11am – 3pm, henna hand painting at 1.30pm, and hair and beauty demonstrations between 2pm and 3.30pm. Some pedicure and manicure appointments are still available. More information is available on Halifax 322215.