THE FUTURE of construction is being crafted at Rugby College – and employers in the sector are being asked to help shape it.
The college has revealed further details of its plans for a new state-of-the-art sustainable construction facility, and has invited businesses to ensure it meets the demands of modern industry.
The new Low Carbon Construction Centre at the Technology Drive campus will focus on low carbon construction, and help close a skills gap.
Business are invited to have their say at a Sustainable Construction Employer Event at the college next week.
The new centre will focus on low carbon techniques and future housing, specialising in heat pumps and solar.
Employers will be introduced to the layout and equipment plans for the new facility, including areas specialised for low carbon construction such as heat pump training bays and a mock roof for solar installation.
The new facility will offer short courses for small businesses to help up-skill existing staff, with topics set to include air and ground source heat pump installation, solar photovoltaic installation, thermal installation, and rainwater and grey water harvesting.
Innovative new tools which will be available to students will also be highlighted at the event, such as a Retrofit Assessment simulator game and virtual reality training scenario focusing on heat pump installation.
Alan May, Director of Apprenticeships at WCG (Warwickshire College Group), said: “We are hoping to have the new facility open for learners by the end of this year, but ahead of that time we are looking to work closely with businesses to make sure we are delivering the skills required for current and future workforces.
“This event is the next stage in our employer engagement around the new facility which will be the repurposing of an existing building, and using existing infrastructure already in place for a ground source heat pump.
“It’s important that we have employer input at this stage as we anticipate the facility will be used at first primarily by businesses seeking to up-skill staff through short courses.
“Low carbon construction is a major focus in the industry now and that has been enhanced by government policy and regulations over the last couple of years, so it’s crucial that we are able to deliver effective training to help businesses to prepare for this shift towards sustainable construction.”
The facility will be funded by £900,000 of Local Skills Improvement Funds (LSIF) awarded by the Department for Education.
The Sustainable Construction Employer Event will be held from 12-2pm on Friday (March 15) at Rugby College. Visit http://tinyurl.com/82f2h6z7 for more information and to register.
