CoRE, the new national centre for cutting edge refurbishment skills, is to be launched today (December 14).

Andrew Stunell MP, a junior Communities and Local Government Minister, will officially open the new Centre of Refurbishment Excellence (CoRE) in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent.

CoRE will open to students at the start of January 2012. The centre has been built in a partnership between the internationally renowned Building Research Establishment (BRE), Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Stoke on Trent College. E.ON, a leading UK energy company has supported the project as a founding sponsor.

Phase one of CoRE, an impressive training centre for the building industry and the new Stoke on Trent College Technology Centre, is now complete.

A second phase will see the historic Enson Works, a 19th century Listed pottery factory brought back to life.

The Enson Works is a significant building on the skyline of the Potteries, featuring four - of only 47 - bottle kilns remaining in Stoke-on-Trent.

The £11.4 million CoRE project will provide a one stop, national centre of excellence for the construction industry, and allied trades, as they work towards a low carbon future. 

The new building will serve as a training centre and as a showcase for up to the minute building solutions.

CoRE is a unique national education centre hosting courses and tutorials to upskill trades people in areas such as photovoltaic (solar) panels, ground source heat pumps, new insulation techniques and many more innovative solutions to fit the UK with greener homes.

And the building itself will be a research tool as it is fitted out to the highest BREEAM energy efficiency standards.

The roof of the complex has 185 photo voltaic panels fitted to it - generating enough electricity to heat and power the building and providing power for the National Grid.

The CoRE project is a response to the national and international challenge to reduce carbon emissions and slow down climate change.

The Government has set a target of reducing carbon emissions by more than 30 per cent by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050.

This represents a major challenge, and opportunity, to the UK construction industry. 20.2 million UK homes have been identified as in need of sustainable refurbishment and retrofitting - an industry estimated to be worth £3.5 - £6.5 billion a year.

Councillor Ruth Rosenau, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: "The education building at CoRE will provide a first class facility for training in refurbishment skills. The project is firmly putting our city on the map as the national and international focus for technological advances in the industry and it is exciting to see the first phase being unveiled. I hope Stoke-on-Trent residents and businesses take advantage of the expert facilities and training here on their doorstep."

Sarah Robinson, Principal, Stoke on Trent College, commented: CoRE will be a huge boost to our work to train the skilled technicians and apprentices for the building trade. 

"CoRE trainees will be at the forefront of the workforce using the knowledge they gain to create environmentally sound, sustainable homes fit for the future."

Don Leiper, Director of New Business at E.ON, said: "This building, and the work that's going on to restore it, represents what needs to be done across the country to improve our homes and business premises - supporting at least 65,000 insulation and construction jobs by 2015.

"To do that we'll need people with the right skills and the right knowledge and I'm delighted that through our sponsorship of CoRE and our partnership with the city, E.ON can play a significant role in that."