£30m Lincoln regeneration scheme set to address skills gap

A key regeneration scheme in Lincoln will not only deliver significant benefits for the city’s business community, residents and visitors, but is also helping to address the skills gap in the UK’s construction industry, says the lead the developer on the scheme.

The Lincoln Transport Hub will see the city centre transformed with the construction of a bus station, 1,000 space multi-storey car park, retail units and pedestrian plaza area connecting the new facilities with Lincoln Central Railway Station.

Contractor Willmott Dixon, which is delivering the £30m project, is working to ensure local people are benefitting from the scheme through an ongoing programme of on-site training and engagement with schools, universities and community outreach activities – working in partnership with the City of Lincoln Council.

Sam Gale, a 17-year-old construction student at Priory City of Lincoln Academy, is one of a number of students completing work placements with the Willmott Dixon team throughout their course.

He said: “We are learning about how a building site actually works and what it’s really like to work in construction – there’s so much more to it than we’re taught in the classroom, so this is a really valuable experience.

“During my time with the team here, I’ve learnt a lot about the different roles available and am now thinking about looking at construction management as a career; I’d previously wanted to become a joiner so it has really opened my eyes to other options.”

Willmott Dixon is working actively with the City of Lincoln Council as well as schools and universities in the local area to create opportunities for training throughout its time on site delivering this important scheme.

Operations director for Willmott Dixon, Nick Heath, said: “As well as being a key regeneration scheme for Lincoln, the Transport Hub is acting as a training ground for a number of local young people who will be able to get hands-on experience of working on a construction site and learn more about the industry.”

Construction Management students from the nearby Nottingham Trent University will also use the scheme as part of their degree course as they are tasked with creating their own tender and design proposals using the initial brief put to Willmott Dixon – they will visit the site twice during the academic year.

Heath added: “We are very proud to be able to support the development of skills for young people not just in Lincoln, but also across the region, and the work we are doing at the Transport Hub allows us to do exactly that.

“There is a very real skills gap in the construction industry and by undertaking these important programmes with schools and universities, we are helping to build the foundations for the industry of tomorrow.”