Xcelerate with Edgbaston: Building skills, careers and opportunity across Birmingham
Written by Compass Group UK & Ireland
Compass’ Xcelerate with Edgbaston regional skills and training hub is growing its impact on the hospitality industry, businesses and local area.
As Birmingham continues to strengthen its reputation as a place for innovation, skills and economic growth, partnerships between business, education and local communities have never been more important.
Xcelerate is a skills and learning community hub designed to inspire creativity, collaboration, and growth. It connects professionals with inspiring workspaces and facilities that help unlock potential, all from within Birmingham’s iconic Edgbaston Stadium, the home of world class cricket. Since opening in 2024, it has become a catalyst for skills development, career opportunities, events and social mobility across the West Midlands.
Xcelerate with Edgbaston was created to address a growing need for practical training, workforce development and pathways into employment. The state-of-the-art facility combines industry-leading training environments with community-focused programmes designed to help people develop new skills, build confidence and enter sustainable careers.
The facility is equipped with innovative training kitchens, practical learning areas and it provides an immersive environment where people can gain hands-on experience. The hub supports a wide range of learners and employers - through programmes including pre-apprenticeship pathways, sector-based work academies and apprenticeship training.
Its impact is already significant. Since opening, more than 7,000 people have benefited from training, upskilling and employment support delivered through the hub.
The Xcelerate team work closely with local and regional partners, training providers and community organisations, ensuring programmes are aligned to the needs of local people and employers.
Importantly, Xcelerate is about more than developing technical skills. It is helping to widen access to careers and creates opportunities for people who may have traditionally faced barriers to employment. The hub supports social mobility while helping businesses address skills shortages, through programmes delivered through Xcelerate which have connected participants to opportunities in culinary arts, facilities management, front-of-house operations, bar excellence and wider hospitality services.
Jonathan Foot (pictured), director of skills and early careers at Compass Group UK & Ireland said: “We’re not just teaching skills; we’re building confidence, opening doors to careers people may never have considered and creating pathways into meaningful employment.
“By working alongside local partners, employers and community organisations, together we can help address skills gaps and provide opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds. Birmingham has a wealth of talent, and Xcelerate is helping to unlock it for the benefit of people, businesses and the wider economy.”
This is part of Compass’ Our Social Promise commitment, which aims to support one million people by 2030 through its flagship social mobility initiative Mission to a Million.
The programme focuses heavily on improving socio-economic outcomes and removing barriers to employment through four strategic pillars: Get In; Get On; Get Involved and Get Supported.