A new training centre for the civil engineering and construction sectors is to open at the East Coast College to “future proof” the area’s learning capabilities.
The new campus will be on a 17-acre site at Lound, between Lowestoft and Yarmouth, on the site of the former Lothingland Middle School.
Following the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Industrial Strategy, the centre will help to fulfil local, regional and national demand for the civil engineering and construction sectors.
It will support the training and up-skilling of constructors, civil engineers and plant maintenance operatives. Having been developed in collaboration with industry experts to examine current and future skills need, the centre will offer clear progression pathways, from Level 2 through to higher-level study programmes and apprenticeships across the sectors.
Stuart Rimmer, CEO and Principal of East Coast College, said: “The centre will support the region to meet the employment opportunities that cross various sectors such as Construction, Clean Energy and Civil Engineering. The centre’s extensive course offer will in turn promote employment prosperity, social mobility and raising aspirations. It’s vital that local people in Great Yarmouth and Waveney get access to high skilled and high paid civil engineering roles alongside the local investments .”
Learners will benefit from a replicated real-life construction site, with industry-standard plant, machinery and equipment. Construction site behaviours and standards will also be taught, alongside specific technical knowledge and skills.
The launch of the new campus will mark yet another significant development for East Coast College, following the opening of the £11.4m state-of-the-art Energy Skills Centre, in November last year.
Rachel Bunn, Assistant Principal, commented “The centre is yet another example of how East Coast College is future-proofing regional skills development and working with employers to ensure that training and apprenticeships are delivered locally, alongside meeting sector need. Training will support apprentices and staff employed in the construction sector, as well as individuals looking to retrain ready for existing employment opportunities, such as Sizewell C and the new river crossings.”
Dr Saul Humphrey, Chair of Building Growth for New Anglia LEP, added: “The region’s construction industry welcomes the opening of the new Eastern Civil Engineering and Construction Campus at Lound by East Coast College. This investment will support Norfolk and Suffolk’s commitment to providing the additional skilled construction specialists that are required to deliver the region’s critical infrastructure and secure our strategic ambition of clean growth.”
The centre will be hosting a formal opening ceremony in February.