The extensive upgrade to our existing facilities, jointly funded by Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) and Department for Education Post 16 Capital Funding, provides state-of-the-art learning and teaching resources for employers, adults and school leavers studying in the fields of plumbing, carpentry, brickwork and electrical installation this September.
The newly named Modern Methods of Construction Centre (MMC) is in addition to our £3.5 million Construction and Automotive Skills Centre completed in 2016. The substantial growth in recent student applications (around 15% more each year) is in response to the increased demand for skilled workers in trade-based industries within our local area (it is calculated that there is a 49,000 skills shortage in the eastern region).
With this in mind, design of the building has reflected its responsibility to teach and provide learning opportunities that reflect the rapid evolution of the construction industry through automation, carbon reduction and the increased use of prefabrication, and therefore ensuring our students are studying amongst the very latest construction methodologies and technologies so they can excel in their chosen careers.
The façade is designed as a row of 5 different styles of terraced house, each with multiple types of brickwork, archways and window installations. Parts of the interior have been left exposed with glass panels installed for students to see the multiple layers of construction within the walls.
56 solar electricity panels, also known as photovoltaics (PV), have been installed on the roof to capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity and generating renewable electricity for the College with surplus energy going back into the grid. Students can see these working in real time via a 60″ TV screen in the lobby detailing the electricity being generated and used.
Attenuation tanks designed to collect and store excess surface water before slowly releasing it at a controlled rate into the local water course, minimises the risk of localised flooding, and Air-source Heat Pumps take the warmth from the air outside and use it to heat the building.
Even the bricks, ‘eco-bricks’ have been sourced from environmentally friendly manufacturers to ensure the carbon footprint of the building is minimised, making our MMC our most green project to date.
Gary McPartland, Assistant Principal for Inspire Education Group said, "With UK, Welsh and Scottish Governments committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, it means almost 27 million homes + 2 million other buildings require retrofitting, and the recruitment of an extra 567,000 qualified workers are needed by 2028 to complete the work. Our new Modern Methods of Construction Building means we have the facilities, expert-training and qualifications to prepare students for these industry demands".
New courses on offer at the new facility include:
SIX Retrofit PAS 2035 Roles and Qualifications (part time offer to adults and employers):
- Retrofit Evaluators
- Retrofit Advisors
- Retrofit Coordinators
- Retrofit Assessors
- Retrofit Designers
- Retrofit Installers
Part-time Industry Accreditations:
- 18th Edition Electrical course
- City & Guilds 2391 Certificate in Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installation
Full-time Qualifications:
- Plumbing 8202 – 25 Level 2
- Multi Skills 6219 – 07
- Occupational Traineeships (pathway Carpentry)
- Occupational Traineeships (pathway Bricklaying)
Apprenticeships:
- Construction Support Technician