University collaborates with industry body on UK’s first demolition degree

THE University of Wolverhampton is collaborating with the Institute for Demolition Engineers to develop the UK’s first degree course in demolition.

The two organisations reached an agreement at the IDE’s autumn seminar in London; the collaboration cemented by a Memorandum of Understanding.

Bespoke courses could be offered to more than 100 people every year once the course is ready.

The ultimate qualification would be a Bachelor of Science or Masters of Science Demolition and Restoration Management in the Built Environment.

The sector, which works on more than £8bn of projects ever year, will use the qualifications to attract more young people into the industry, as well as ensuring current demolition engineers have access to the best possible professional development opportunities.

The curriculum will be taught on site and at the University’s new Springfield Campus. It will comprise up to 15 different modules, ranging from asbestos removal and façade retention to working with explosives and health and safety.

“Demolition has been the poor relation to construction and civil engineering for some time and this has got to change,” said Duncan Rudall, president of the IDE.

“We want to give people working in our sector the same opportunity as other industries to be officially recognised for their skills and expertise and the demolition degree is the first step in this direction.

“It is also an important milestone in trying to get more young people interested in pursuing a career with us. We have no problem attracting labourers and operatives, which is great. However, we want youngsters looking to become chartered demolition engineers, senior managers and the leaders of the future.”

Demolition experts Dr Terry Quarmby (Dorton Group), Mick Ulyatt (Samuelson Consulting), John Woodward (C&D Consultancy), Vernon Watson (QCMS) and Richard Dolman (AR Demolition) have all been involved in the initial planning, with industry trainers set to be involved in delivering the demolition specific elements of the degree.

This will be reinforced by experienced lecturers at the University, led by Dr Paul Hampton, Head of Department at the School of Architecture and Built Environment.
 
More than 20 people have already signed up for the degree course, which will be officially launched in September 2017.

Wolverhampton-born Matt Birch, a trainee demolition engineer at C&D Consultancy, is one of the first to sign up.
 
“This is such an exciting breakthrough for our sector and gives me the ideal opportunity to develop my skills and knowledge even further, not to mention the chance to secure a national qualification in the process,” he said.
 
“I first thought about demolition as a career when John Woodward, managing director of C&D, visited our school and talked to us about what was involved. Every day is different and that immediately captured my imagination and I’m already learning that there are lots of technical aspects you have to learn.”

Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, Geoff Layer, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, added his support: “We have a proud track record of working in the field of construction and already have embedded certain elements of the demolition sector into our courses.

“The new site will provide a collaborative research environment, working closely with business and partners like IDE to offer cutting-edge facilities equipped with the latest technologies to provide innovative teaching – like the new Demolition degree – across a lifelong learning ladder of opportunities.”

Pictured from left are: Paul Hampton (Head of Department, School of Architecture and Built Environment at the University of Wolverhampton), Duncan Rudall (President of the IDE), Professor Geoff Layer (Vice-Chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton) and Anthony Hatfield (Senior Lecturer in Built Environment).