A £3.3m facility built by Lindum Construction to a design by Waterland Architects has been opened at Stamford College.
It’s a 900sqm Modern Methods of Construction Centre which upgrades the College’s existing facilities, in response to substantial growth in student applications; around fifteen per cent more each year.
Jointly funded by the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and Department for Education Post-16 Capital Funding, the Modern Methods of Construction Centre is the primary learning facility for more than 500 additional plumbing, carpentry, brickwork and electrical installation students, working to bridge the estimated 49,000 person skills shortage within the Eastern region.
Pat Doody, outgoing Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said, “The LEP’s £2.1m investment in this scheme recognises the need for a skilled workforce in the construction and engineering sectors, responding to the emerging requirements of modern methods of construction.
“Not only will the project create new opportunities for future students, but it will also meet the needs of local employers, address local and regional skills gaps and directly contribute to local, regional and national economies, enabling an innovative and employer-focused curriculum and accommodating forecast high demand.”
Rachel Nicholls, Chief Executive Officer of Inspire Education Group, said a relationship had been formed with Allison Homes to meet the skills challenge faced by industry. “We are exceptionally proud of the relationship we’ve built with Allison Homes. It’s a real example of a provider and employer working together to overcome the skills challenges that we face.”
John Anderson, Group Chief Exec at Allison Homes, said: “This country is chronically short of homes – not just homes in general but homes that are actually affordable. Our ambition is to grow the business to around 2,500 homes a year, so the association with Stamford College and the MMC building is a very obvious thing for us to do. We have 17 apprentices working within Allison Homes currently, demonstrating our commitment to growing the capabilities and skills necessary for an industry that is sorely lacking.”
