Regeneration of iconic print works to create skills centre
The iconic James Cond print works in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter is set to be regenerated to create a sustainable construction skills centre at University College Birmingham (UCB) next year.
The Engineering and Sustainable Construction Centre will offer state-of-the-art courses and facilities.
This regeneration project follows UCB’s refurbishment of Camden House, due for completion in Summer 2022, which will create a bespoke STEM education and training facility.
Together, these projects mark UCB’s significant investment of more than £10m into Birmingham, driving the regeneration of the city and creating leading facilities that will support industry needs and create jobs to drive economic growth.
The centre will specialise in courses that support the region’s growth areas including sustainable construction methods, manufacturing technologies, renewable energy, robotics and cyber and digital skills.
UCB has also formed a partnership with the University of Warwick, providing opportunity to design progression opportunities for students across the West Midlands to enter UCB on technical courses, and progress through to degree and masters level programmes at the University of Warwick.
Michael Harkin, Vice Chancellor and Principal at University College Birmingham, said: “The recent COP26 climate change conference included high emphasis on low carbon sustainable buildings with highly ecological specifications, and there is great need of new talent in this field, with hundreds of thousands of new workers expected to be required in the next few years.
“Our exciting, new courses are centred around sustainable construction and design, plus developing advanced skills in engineering and construction, and are very different to those offered by other local providers.
“It is an offering that we will continue to develop from Level 2 and T-levels through to degree courses and apprenticeships, working closely with local employers to fill skills gaps and offer training in priority areas for the West Midlands.
“First and foremost, it is firmly about supporting young people and the long term unemployed to gain industry relevant skills and support them into work, further study and to gain critical skills to access high value jobs that meet local and regional needs.”
Colin Hamilton, strategic account director at Tilbury Douglas Construction, said: “Tilbury Douglas is delighted to be working in partnership with University College Birmingham on the development of the new sustainable construction courses.
“As an employer, it is vital that our employees can access robust, fit for purpose qualifications that will address the skills shortage and provide our future and existing workforce with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to demonstrate competency in their roles. ”
