National College for High Speed Rail officially opens in Doncaster
Education Secretary Justine Greening has officially opened the new National College for High Speed Rail (NCHSR) in Doncaster.
A new build of 7,000 sq m, the National College for High Speed Rail is designed to address the potential skills shortages faced by HS2, and the wider rail industry, by providing specialist training to the next generation of engineers.
There is a second campus in Birmingham and the cohort for 2017-18 will be around 150 students. The two campuses are anticipated to train in the region of 1,200 students annually and equip them with the technical skills required to build, operate and maintain a railway with a strong emphasis on practical and virtual learning.
The new college, situated in the Lakeside area of Doncaster, off junction 3 of the M18, boasts a triple-height workshop with an inspection pit so students can inspect and maintain the full size high-speed train that will be permanently on site. It also houses enough teaching and workshop space for up to 1,000 students, while externally there is a 150 metre long section of railway and overhead lines showcasing a range of track construction.
The development has been supported by Doncaster Council to provide project and commercial management services to support the scheme.
The college is the largest of five new national colleges created by the government to ensure young people can learn world-class technical skills, including, engineering, design, planning, manufacturing and construction.
Education Secretary Justine Greening said:”It has been great to attend the official launch of the NCHSR. It is part of how we are steadily transforming technical education in this country, training up a new generation of skilled young people and the existing workforce so that British business has the skills it needs and people have the opportunities they want – a win-win for everyone.
“We can only do this in partnership with employers – the NCHSR is just one great example of this. The impressive new building and training facilities are at the forefront of our ambitions to create a world class system of technical education.
“Doncaster is also one of the 12 Opportunity Areas that will benefit from a share of £72 million to raise attainment and aspirations. NCHSR is part of this work, making sure Doncaster’s local talent gets the opportunity to fulfil its potential and ensuring a prosperous future for the UK.”
Northern furniture manufacturer Godfrey Syrett completed a six-figure furniture fit-out on behalf of The National College for High Speed Rail.
Godfrey Syrett was appointed by the scheme’s main contractor, Willmott Dixon, to design and manufacture furniture for the college’s two new campuses in Doncaster and Birmingham.
Vince Penrose of Godfrey Syrett said: “This has been a very exciting project for Godfrey Syrett, we are delighted to have had the opportunity to design furniture solutions for these two state-of-the-art learning facilities. With a combined floor space of over 143,000sqft, these highly specialised buildings provide workshop space, classrooms, social spaces and outdoor training areas incorporating railway tracks. We provided a selection of innovative products to suit the learning environments and meet the needs of both the staff and students.”
James Henderson, senior design coordinator at Willmott Dixon said: “Following a competitive tender process, Godfrey Syrett was selected due to the strength of its design support, product mix and flexibility. We are delighted with the results, the furniture fit-out has put the perfect finishing touches to this prestigious project, which was finished on time for the new academic year.”
