National Construction Skills Academy Launched in Warwickshire
The Academy aims to address the skills shortage, as its forecasted over 200,000 workers will be needed by the industry by 2027 to meet demand.
A multi-million-pound training academy for the construction industry is opening in Warwickshire – and will be the first of its kind for the sector.
The Hercules Construction Academy, in Nuneaton, plans to train up to 400 new entrants in its first year, and thousands of workers over the coming years.
It will offer a range of qualifications like health and safety courses, NVQs, T-levels and degree-level apprenticeships, as well as specialist programmes in utility detection, working at height, overhead powerline awareness, highways, and other bespoke industry courses.
The Academy plans to address the skills shortage and benefit major infrastructure and construction projects across the UK - including HS2, the planned AMP8 water sector infrastructure works, and proposed mega-projects like the Lower Thames Crossing,.
Paul Blakeman, Head of Training at Hercules Site Services, said the building had been empty for nearly two years and it has taken over 12 months to complete the demolition work and renovations.
He said: "We have space for 80 students plus another 30 in the external training space which replicate a modern construction site, and we want to support the local community by providing training facilities for people in Warwickshire and further afield.
"We are putting forward plans to Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council for the second phase which would be to transform another 1,000 sqm with similar facilities which would be a further £1 million investment.
"Everyone who has visited so far thinks it is a fantastic facility and it’s what the area needs, and we have been amazed at the support we have received."
Hercules Site Services, based in Cirencester, is a leading civil engineering, construction and utilities firm which includes supplying labour to projects led by HS2 and other Tier 1 construction companies throughout England.
The business has invested £5.5 million to transform the former Gibbs Technologies building into its first training academy which will also be the first of its kind for the sector as it brings together a mix of practical skills training coupled with the more technical design area of construction all in one place.
The first phase of the Hercules Construction Academy has involved refurbishing 950 sqm of space into a suite of state-of-the-art training and meeting rooms, test rooms, a staff room, offices, toilets and reception area.
Councillor Kristofer Wilson, Leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: "The Hercules Construction Academy is a fantastic facility that provides a multitude of training opportunities for those within our Borough and beyond.
"I’m incredibly proud of the collaboration which has brought this facility to fruition. As a first of its kind within this sector, I’m sure that the students will excel with access to such a wonderful facility. We look forward to working with the academy in the future to help them fulfil their expansion plans."
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