College launches major construction training hub
Shrewsbury College will build a £5m construction skills centre at its London Road campus in response to rising numbers of students applying for construction courses.
The purpose-designed training centre will include specialist facilities for electrical and plumbing training alongside eight classrooms, and four workshops with specialist training bays for hands-on skills development.
Telford-based McPhillips have been appointed as main contractors for the project, with work scheduled to begin shortly. The two storey building will open to students by next September.
DPA Architects have provided designs for the scheme.
Earlier this year, Shrewsbury College was named on a list of 67 further education providers who had been allocated funding from a £283m Department for Education pot aimed at expanding capacity on courses serving the construction industry.
James Staniforth, Principal of Shrewsbury College said securing government funding for the scheme was a “tremendous achievement” that reflected the college’s standing and “the strength of our vision for the future”.
“This major development will significantly enhance our learning environment, expand opportunities for young people, and ensure we continue to meet the growing demand for places at Shrewsbury College and the evolving skills needs of employers across the region,” she said.
The issue was raised by Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley during Kier Starmer’s final PMQ session on 15 July, who called on the outgoing Prime Minister to offer his support for the scheme, although he declined to do so explicitly.
“As the main post-16 provider in the county, our outstanding college trains over 10,000 young people and adults, providing both A-levels and vocational qualifications, but this year’s applications are up by 15% and our buildings are full to capacity,” she told the house.
“In a rural area like Shrewsbury, with limited alternatives, hundreds of people could end up becoming not in employment, education, or training.”
Paul Inions, managing director of McPhillips, said that once opened, the facility would serve the region’s skills needs for years to come.
“Investing in the next generation of construction professionals has always been central to how we run our business, ” he said.
“Nearly a fifth of our own people started their careers with us as apprentices, so we know first-hand where the right training and the right opportunity can lead.
“This centre will give young people in Shropshire access to the specialist facilities the industry needs, and many of the students who train here will go on to build careers in construction, some of them with us. “
