Rail college prepares for HS2 generation

PLANNED training site the National College for High Speed Rail in Doncaster, to supply the next generation of engineers for HS2, has applied to the council for planning.

Doncaster Council is expected to make a decision towards the end of the year, and if approved, the 77,500 sq ft building is scheduled to start in April 2016, set for a September 2017 opening.

The National College for High Speed Rail, which was launched in July this year, will provide specialist vocational training for engineers.

The college aims to develop a highly skilled workforce needed to build HS2, the largest infrastructure project in Britain has seen in decades.

The Government announced the college would be located at two sites in Doncaster and Birmingham.

Doncaster Council’s project team has carried out significant work in partnership with Birmingham City Council and HS2 Ltd.

Willmott Dixon was appointed the lead contractor for design and build of the college and Bond Bryan Architects and other consultants have pulled together the appropriate feasibility studies for the modern building at Doncaster’s Lakeside campus.

Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “It’s now less than two years until the ground-breaking National College for High Speed Rail opens its doors for the first intake of students.

“From the design concept, which was shaped in consultation with the private sector, you can see how impressive this new national college is going to be.”

HS2 Ltd will support 100,000 jobs across the UK, and create around 25,000 jobs during construction of phases one and two and create 2,000 apprenticeships.

Earlier this month, Chancellor George Osborne announced the Sheffield City Region will work with the Government to achieve their ambitions for a National Institute for Infrastructure within Doncaster, as part of the proposed Sheffield City Region devolution deal.

Terry Morgan, chairman of the Corporate Board for the National College for High Speed Rail said: “The National College for High Speed Rail will have a major impact on the ability of the UK rail supply industry to develop a suitable and sustainable workforce to deliver HS2 and other infrastructure projects.

“This essential training facility will produce the multi-skilled specialist workforce required to address the industry’s current and future skills needs.

“The submission of the planning application for the construction of the College at Lakeside in Doncaster is welcome news.”