Work on an extension of a West Cumbrian college will start next week.
Eric Wright Construction, part of the Eric Wright Group, has been appointed by the Department for Education to create a new technical workshop, sports pitch and pavilion for the Energy Coast University Technical College at Lillyhall, near Workington.
Work will start next week with completion expected in early summer of 2022.
The plans, approved by Allerdale Borough Council during April, include the construction of new engineering workshops/support spaces, the reconfiguration of existing spaces to provide construction workshops, external work bays, a replacement sports pitch including a changing pavilion on a new site and a new pedestrian crossing to connect the college’s two sites.
James Eager, director for Eric Wright Construction, said: “The college, which was originally built by Eric Wright Construction in 2013, is providing much-needed education and training for young people in Cumbria in collaboration with local employers and we’re excited to be helping them develop their exceptional facilities even further.
“As part of our commitment to the scheme, we have already engaged with the UTC students during the design development stage. We will also be providing a live learning environment for some of the students so they can join our construction teams on site and put into practice some of the theory they have studied at the college.
“We have successfully delivered a considerable number of education facilities through the DfE low value framework and it is always great to see how the students and staff engage with the team while we are on site through live learning opportunities.”
Energy Coast UTC principal Cherry Tingle said: “These new facilities will really take the student experience to the next level and we are excited to see Eric Wright’s team start on site. Their bid submission was really strong on social value and they had some great ideas about how the students could join in and learn in real time while the work is taking place.”
“We desperately need people with skills in engineering and civil engineering, as well as an excellent academic education, and we now have something really great to look forward to. This is really good news for the area and a real boost for West Cumbria.”
