Specialist contractor Mick George has begun the earthworks for a new £4.75m state-of-the-art construction training centre at Northampton College
Mick George is due to complete Earthworks on behalf of Kier Construction for the £4.75m Advanced Construction Engineering (ACE) Centre.
Scheduled for completion in Q3 2019, the location will facilitate training of the next generation of builders, plumbers and decorators, as well as pioneering new techniques aimed at equipping the workforce of the future with the very latest skills.
Alongside courses which focus on craft skills, there will also be Level 3 courses for those looking for supervisory, technician or management careers in the sector, such as Civil Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or Project Management.
It is hoped that the construction training centre, will provide a pipeline of ‘highly-skilled, work-ready’ staff with the appropriate technical knowledge likely to benefit multiple local employers in the sector. Forecasts are estimating between 600-700 new learners each year by 2025/26.
The project has been supported by £2.25m funding from SEMLEP’s through its Skills Capital Fund.
Michael George, Contracting Director at Mick George Ltd said: “As employers of more than 1,100 employees, we recognise that the construction industry and its labour model are at a critical juncture in terms of its long-term sustainability. ‘’
George added: ‘’Addressing both the skills shortages and the ageing workforce demographic is seen as a top priority within leading construction companies, so it’s a credit to Northampton College for responding so pro‐actively to provide solutions for the sector, helping to deliver a high calibre of new recruits to the industry.”
