Selco Builders Warehouse has donated materials in support of a training centre offering free courses, a move the builders' merchant has said will help develop tradespeople of the future.

Selco Builders Warehouse, based on the Slough Trading Estate on Farnham Road, has supplied £1,500 worth of building materials to the town’s new Refresh Skills Centre.

The centre offers free courses to allow Slough residents to earn qualifications, regardless of faith, age or gender, in courses ranging in subject matter from construction to media, it says.

The Refresh Skills Centre is designed to offer an educational resource and open up opportunities for residents by providing them with recognised qualifications in a variety of different trades and occupations.

Selco materials will be used to guide Slough residents through the City & Guilds Level 1 Construction course.

Dave Crabtree, branch manager at Selco in Slough, said: “This is a fantastic initiative and we are very proud to be involved and providing a benefit to individuals and the community as a whole.

“It is an ideal opportunity for potential tradesmen of the future in Slough to gain a key qualification.”

The Refresh Skills Centre, based in Bath Road, has been entirely funded by the Sikh Prabh Milnae Kaa Chaao (PMKC) charity and relies on donations from the Sikh community in Slough to operate.

It was officially opened in June by the Mayor of Slough, Cllr Mohammed Rasib, and local policing area commander for Slough, Superintendent Simon Bowden.

Centre manager Jatinder Singh said: “This is a very exciting initiative which is designed to give the people of Slough a new skill set and increase their chances of securing a job in their chosen profession.

“We are hugely grateful to Selco for getting involved in their project and providing us with materials to help us run our construction course.”

The Selco branch in Slough offers a range of building materials, drainage, roofing, heating, plumbing and electrical products, a range of timber including a bespoke cutting service, doors and windows, ironmongery and fixings, decorating supplies, landscaping and fencing items as well as kitchen and bathroom showrooms plus Selco’s latest new initiative, tool and plant hire.

The centre has an in-branch café, trade services, direct-to-site delivery options and van size parking spaces, all designed to make it easier for tradespeople to get onto the job as soon as possible.