Severn Trent Water training academy completed

An academy in Coventry for training engineers has been delivered by Integra Buildings using cutting-edge modular building methods.

The modular construction specialist has completed the development for Severn Trent Water, which serves eight million people across the Midlands.

The Severn Trent Academy, officially opened by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, provides a purpose-built centre for technical training on a new flagship campus in Coventry, as part of Severn Trent’s wider £10m investment in skills and training.

It will offer a range of development opportunities for Severn Trent’s 7,000 staff, including apprentices, as well as members of the wider community who will have a chance to gain employability skills and training.

The facilities will also benefit 500 young people to be employed by Severn Trent over the next year under the Government’s Kickstart Scheme, which creates six-month paid work placements for 16-24-year-olds at risk of long-term unemployment.

Integra managing director Gary Parker said: “We’re delighted that the Prime Minister has praised the new academy, which looks superb inside and out. Working closely with Severn Trent, our team has delivered a first-class training environment with cutting-edge facilities.

“It’s a great example of how our innovative approach to bespoke modular building allows us to meet even the most challenging design briefs while delivering faster and more cost-effective results for the client.

“To do that while dealing with the challenges of Covid, especially during the uncertainty of the first lockdown, represents an outstanding achievement by our team, partners and suppliers.”

Severn Trent construction project manager Zoe McPhilbin said: “It was great to work with Integra in helping us create our new academy that will be so valuable in providing skills and opportunities for our people and communities.

“The design aspirations for our academy have been met in full, which clearly demonstrates how Integra shared the same values and ambitions as ourselves on delivering such an amazing space in which to learn.”

East Yorkshire-based Integra designed and manufactured the building, which has a floor space of 22,600 sq ft, at its site at Paull, east of Hull. The facility is made up of 45 modular units, which were transported by articulated lorry to Coventry before being assembled on Severn Trent’s site on the outskirts of the city.

Working alongside Webb Gray Architects, Integra completed the design phase in just eight weeks.