Regeneration news
TUC leader visits Royal Docks to explore inclusive growth and innovation
The Royal Docks Team was delighted to welcome Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, for an inspiring introduction to the Royal Docks’ ambitious regeneration programme and the opportunities it is creating for local residents.
Joined by Rokhsana Fiaz, Mayor of Newham, and Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, the visit included presentations from Lendlease and Excel London on their role in generating high-quality local jobs. The delegation also toured the London Design & Engineering UTC and the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability to see how the Royal Docks is driving place-based growth through quality skills, training, and career pathways for the local community.
A focal point of the tour was a visit to the London Design and Engineering UTC (LDE UTC), which showcased how the college is equipping young people with future-ready skills through T-Level qualifications. The students impressed their visitors with confident demonstrations of innovative projects in Digital Media, Mechatronics, and Design & Craft (Furniture). Developed in collaboration with employers, T-Levels blend practical, project-based learning with industry engagement, preparing 16- to 19-year-olds with the technical skills required in today’s workplace.
Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for London and Rokhsana Fiaz, Mayor of Newham with students at LDE UTC.
At the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability (RDCS), colleagues explained its ongoing expansion since opening last year with new facilities such as TerraDock, an SME incubator and accelerator hub. They also introduced the soon-to-launch Dialogue Café, an inclusive space combining coffee, arts, and culture, offering employment for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Operated by Dialogue Hub CIC, the café will allow customers to order using British Sign Language (BSL) supported by technology. Additionally, the delegation was briefed on the success of Sugarcrete®, an innovative bio-based building material developed at RDCS, which recently won the prestigious Times Higher Education Award for Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year.
This visit reinforced the Royal Docks’ commitment to skills development, social inclusion, and sustainable growth. Integrating education, innovation, and community, the Royal Docks regeneration programme is setting a benchmark for inclusive urban development, contributing significantly to the London Growth Plan.
