September 12, 2019 4.25 pm This story is over 54 months old

Lincoln College expands with new construction training base

The college has partnered with local firms

A new training facility has been launched by Lincoln College to build a 21st Century construction workforce for Lincolnshire.

The Construction College will be led by local firms. The college also aims to buy properties, with students working alongside local firms to renovate them.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

This new employer-led approach to construction training will now be able to train an additional 100 learners a year.

The college features the Gusto Homes ECOnstruction Centre of Excellence as the industry gears up for net zero-carbon targets by 2050.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Centre of Excellent is a place where students, staff and the wider industry can up-skill on the application an impact of products including solar PV roof panels, triple glazing and waste water heat recovery.

The facility was opened by Councillor Colin Bridges, Chairman of Lincolnshire County Council, and Steff Wright, CEO at Gusto Homes.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Gary Headland, Lincoln College Group CEO. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

More than 20 local firms joined the opening and pledged their support to help develop the college over the next three years.

Gary Headland, Lincoln College Group CEO, said: “Our focus will be on continuing to listen to employers to ensure we produce highly skilled and productive people to add economic and social value in the local area.

“We are developing a really exciting student experience that will see them spending a significant amount of time in industry so they can start adding value to local firms from day-one of their apprenticeships.”

Steff Wright, CEO at Gusto Homes and Gary Headland, Lincoln College Group CEO. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Steff Wright CEO at Gusto Homes. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Steff Wright said: “This is a really well timed launch. Building regulation changes are inevitable if we are to meet challenging government targets and there will be a need for the whole industry to up-skill and develop.

“This is a real opportunity to work with the college to develop the skills of local people during an exciting time of change within the house building and wider construction industry. It’s also a space where companies developing innovative new construction products can showcase them to people within the industry.”

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Steff Wright, CEO at Gusto Homes, Councillor Colin Bridges, Chairman of LCC, James Pinchbeck, Chair of the Board of Corporation at Lincoln College and Gary Headland, Lincoln College Group CEO. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Councillor Bridges added: “The college has demonstrated an extraordinary level of responsiveness to emerging trends in the sector and the demand for skilled workers. I would urge more local construction firms to engage with the college to help it achieve its vision.”