Exeter hosts construction skills academy

This new approach to training should help ensure the skills needs of the large-scale projects and the local area are met, with apprentices, businesses and school children among those to benefit from the scheme being hosted on the multi-million pound development.

Similar programmes are running on high profile projects in other parts of the country, including the 2012 Olympic site and the Building Schools for the Future programme.

ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the industry, has launched the National Skills Academy for Construction scheme nationally as a project-based and partnership approach to training.

The University of Exeter is embarking on a long term £450m infrastructure development plan of its campuses, which include the redevelopment of many parts and adding to a number of new academic and social buildings by 2020.  The immediate investment of £270m will be spent at its Streatham site over the next three years, including the iconic £48m Forum Project, creating a new heart for the University, an expansion of the Business School and new facilities for Biosciences, as well as student accommodation.

The initial development is being undertaken by Cowlin Construction Limited as the lead contractor, along with several other UK contractors. ConstructionSkills has worked closely with Cowlin to develop a dedicated Employment and Skills Plan for the scheme, to help promote the employment and training opportunities this project offers, as well as the educational insight into the construction industry with local schools and colleges. 

The National Skills Academy for Construction projects see ConstructionSkills working in collaboration with clients, developers, employers, colleges, providers and funding agencies to offer this project-by-project approach and to help meet the skills needs of the industry in a cost effective and timely way.   Local people to local jobs and sustainability are key themes of the scheme.

David Allen, Registrar and Deputy Chief Executive of the University of Exeter said: “We’re delighted that our ambitious development programme is going to be of such benefit to the community of Exeter and the surrounding area.

“The University and its partners are making a considerable financial investment at a time of economic uncertainty. To be in the position of also being able to offer valuable training and research opportunities and use local suppliers where possible is a very welcome added bonus.”

Regional Strategy Advisor for ConstructionSkills in the South West, Roger Stone said: “We are delighted to make this announcement and to be working with the University of Exeter and Cowlin Construction to deliver this Skills Academy for the region.  The National Skills Academy for Construction model allows training at all levels to be delivered on a local basis around major construction projects, rather than relying solely on classroom or college-based learning.

“This employer-led solution focuses on delivering the skills required by the contractors and supply chain direct to their project, as and when they need it, as well as providing training for people in the local community.”

Neil Sherreard from Cowlin Construction, said: “The major construction works being undertaken at the University provide an excellent opportunity to supply much needed training in a live environment. 

“With hands on training, utilising our highly skilled management and workforce together with our supply chain partners, we are able to deliver a focussed learning experience for local people, to the ultimate benefit of the region and industry as a whole. We are delighted and proud to be involved in this academy as an employer dedicated to the development of people in the industry.”