The finishing touches are being carried out on a £1.6m state-of-the-art construction training centre based at Leicester College
Students at Leicester College will benefit from new facilities aimed at developing construction skills.
The Construction Technology Centre, located at the Freeman’s Park campus, will provide a new, state-of-the-art workspace where students can develop their construction skills.
The new facility saw existing structures extended and refurbished at a cost of £1.6m.
The college plays an important role in developing skilled workers in the region. Each year the college works with 215 construction companies, as well as 156 self-employed individuals.
The new facilities were designed by Moss Architecture Interiors and refurbished by construction firm Stepnell as part of a four-month building programme. This comprised of 9,700 sq ft of open-plan joinery and bench joinery teaching space. There is also a power tool pod, 19 work spaces, an extended wood machine room, and a computer-aided design area.
Vital for skill development in Leicester
Speaking to the Leicester Mercury, Leicester College principal Verity Hancock said: “The opening of the new construction centre is vital to the college’s plans to invigorate this important industry in Leicester and Leicestershire.
“It enables us to better support existing and future learners while meeting the growing demand for construction-based training and education.”
Stepnell operations and commercial manager Thomas Sewell said: “As a company which is committed to skills development and bringing more young people into the industry, it’s particularly rewarding to have completed work on these advanced new facilities and to see everyone benefiting from the transformed workshop space.”
The centre was formally opened between 24 October and 4 November, during the Leicester Business Festival.
Speaking at the time Leicester city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “The centre will give real value to the people studying there, and also to local business.
“I commend the dedication of Leicester College and its partners for the great work here.
“I look forward to coming back to see the progress in the future.”
