Contractor starts work on college campus extension

Black Country construction company Interclass has been appointed by Walsall College to oversee the expansion of its Green Lane Campus.

Building work has begun at the construction training-based campus, with a three-floor extension set to be ready in autumn.

The new extension will provide additional gas and plumbing, carpentry and electrical workshops and classrooms, as well as a new canteen, reception and social spaces for students.

Wolverhampton-based Interclass will be working with the college’s construction students, helping to provide an opportunity to use the scheme as a learning tool during the building period.

Principal and chief executive of Walsall College Jatinder Sharma CBE DL said: “We hope our learners, employer and community partners enjoy seeing this expansion project unfold over the coming months, particularly with our students being closely involved in some of the building work taking place.

“The arrival of this new-look campus helps to ensure we continue providing high quality education while meeting local industry skills needs.  It also supports our vision for a sustainable environment with low and zero carbon resources in place.

“We look forward to everyone fully utilising the new workshop spaces and facilities once the expansion is complete.”

Des O’Neill, managing director at Interclass, said: “This is a significant contract award for Interclass, and we are excited to deliver a project which will make a real difference to the learning experience of young people in Walsall. The extension project will directly support the construction workforce of the future and provide an already highly reputed college with much-needed expanded facilities to meet the demand of students and the industry as a whole.

“We are passionate about delivering social value within our local communities and throughout the scheme we have committed to employing local apprentices, offering work experience for T Level placements, and arranging tailored site visits to support the College and allow construction students to use the live site as part of their course.”