14th March 2019

College partners construction hub to bridge skills gap

The City of Liverpool College is set to create the city’s first on-site construction hub, which aims to bridge the gap between training and employment in the construction industry.

The College will work in partnership with Liverpool Waters, which has plans for a £5 billion waterfront development scheme that includes the creation of 9,000 homes, extensive business space, both a cruise and ferry terminal and luxury hotel facilities.

The Hub was given the go ahead after receiving £500k from the Government’s Construction Skills Fund. It will provide training and qualifications to meet the demand for skilled construction workers, as well as a range of supporting roles in the region’s thriving construction industry. The Construction Hub will also provide contractors with direct access to a pool of trained apprentices, full and part time workers and work experience candidates trained in relevant skills to meet the shortfall in the sector.

Elaine Bowker, principal at The City of Liverpool College, said: “The City of Liverpool College is the college for business, so it’s only right that we are putting our learners at the very heart of one of Europe’s largest regeneration and development schemes.

“Having this construction hub on Collingwood Dock means that a City of Liverpool College facility will be sitting amongst some of the city region’s largest and most ambitious construction projects, all requiring a talented and eager workforce.”

The Government has set aside funding for 17,000 young people to become job and site-ready construction workers by March 2020. Twenty-six hubs have been created across the country which have access to the £22m Construction Skills Fund.  The Hubs will provide a once in a lifetime opportunity for individuals to gain industry recognised skills that will support them into a career in construction.