13 November 2009

Thames Water secures future of engineering training centre

Thames Water's former West Ham Pumping Station has been secured as a skills training base for budding Newham engineers of the future.

The UK's biggest water and sewerage company sold the premises to AlphaBSE, who had until now been renting the building, meaning it can continue to provide training to the local community in areas including plumbing, carpentry and electrics.

Peter Antolik, Thames Water's Strategy and Regulation Director, said:

"AlphaBSE provides a valuable service to the local community so we're really pleased this sale has helped safeguard its future."

The building and some of the internal plumbing machinery is listed and this sale specifically secures the future of what is also an important cultural heritage site.

John Budu-Aggrey, CEO of Alpha BSE, said:

"We take this opportunity to acknowledge the magnanimous contribution of Thames Water management over the past four years in securing the future of this strategic training centre."

Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, said:

"Newham has a rich history of skilled industry, and I am delighted that the sale of this pumping station will both preserve that cultural heritage and encourage future generations of residents to develop their skills in these areas - especially in light of the opportunities provided by the 2012 Olympic Games."

Alpha Building Services Engineering is a training organisation who instruct pupils, the unemployed and residents of housing associations.