The City of Liverpool College has opened its new Construction Academy at Liverpool Waters, welcoming an initial group of 250 students to the facility on Regent Road. The academy aims to provide practical training and address the growing demand for skilled construction workers in the region.
Located in the Central Docks neighbourhood, the academy places students at the heart of one of the city's largest urban regeneration projects. This strategic location is designed to offer learners direct access to real-world construction environments and future employment opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- The City of Liverpool College has launched a new Construction Academy at the Liverpool Waters site.
- The facility will initially train 250 students in various construction trades.
- It is located within the Central Docks area, a major brownfield development project.
- The academy was established to meet increased demand that exceeded the capacity of the college's existing Vauxhall Road campus.
- Students will have opportunities for apprenticeships and jobs linked to the ongoing Liverpool Waters development.
Addressing Regional Skills Demand
The establishment of the Construction Academy is a direct response to the limitations of the college's nearby Vauxhall Road campus, which had reached its maximum capacity for construction-related courses. The new facility significantly expands the college's ability to train the next generation of builders, plumbers, electricians, and other tradespeople.
Neil Borg-Olivier, Vice Principal for Curriculum Development and Innovation, explained the necessity for the expansion. He noted that the college needed a dedicated space that could accommodate the increasing number of students entering the construction sector.
"Our Vauxhall Road site had reached capacity and we needed space that met the needs of students coming into the construction sector. This new site means we can take on more learners who will help tackle the region’s skills shortage."
The academy features a combination of practical workshops and four purpose-built modular classrooms. This setup allows students to divide their time between hands-on training and the essential theoretical knowledge required for their qualifications.
Academy by the Numbers
- 250: The initial number of students the academy will train.
- 4: Purpose-built modular classrooms for theoretical learning.
- 5+: Years of partnership between The City of Liverpool College and Peel Waters.
Integration with Liverpool Waters Development
The academy's location is a key component of its strategy. It is situated within the Central Docks neighbourhood of Liverpool Waters, which is the largest of the site's five districts and the biggest brownfield development in the city.
A partnership between Peel Waters and Homes England is set to begin work on a 2.1-hectare park and associated infrastructure. This phase of the project will support the construction of up to 2,350 new homes, creating a significant number of job and apprenticeship opportunities.
Direct Pathway to Employment
Students at the Construction Academy are uniquely positioned to benefit from this large-scale development. The college has worked closely with Peel Waters for over five years, establishing a pipeline that has already seen former students find employment across the Liverpool Waters site.
Liza Marco, Senior Asset Manager at Liverpool Waters, highlighted the symbiotic relationship between the academy and the development project.
"With the scale and ambition of Liverpool Waters, we hope many of the students who train here will go on to play a hands-on role in transforming the site – building homes and community spaces for the future. Every student who studies and works here will help shape the next chapter of our iconic waterfront."
Local businesses in the surrounding area, such as Ten Streets Social, are also collaborating with the college. These partnerships will provide additional space and opportunities for students as the neighbourhood continues to evolve.
About Liverpool Waters
Liverpool Waters is a 30-year, multi-billion-pound project to transform 60 hectares of historic docklands. The masterplan includes the development of new residential, commercial, and leisure spaces, aiming to create a world-class waterfront destination and extend the city centre northwards.
A Learning Environment on a Live Site
The design and construction of the academy, which took place over the summer, were carefully planned to respect the area's rich industrial heritage. The project team selected bricks for the new building to match the historic wall that runs along Regent Road, ensuring the modern facility blends with its surroundings.
In a further nod to the site's past, the original tram tracks from the dock's industrial era have been preserved and incorporated into the academy's grounds. This attention to detail provides a tangible link to the history of the location where students are now training for the future.
Alex Black, Director of Estates at The City of Liverpool College, emphasised the value of this unique setting.
"The Construction Academy at Liverpool Waters is a huge step forward for our students. It allows them to learn the fundamentals of their chosen career on what is essentially a working site."
This immersive environment is expected to provide a significant advantage, giving students a realistic understanding of the construction industry from the very start of their training. The proximity to active development projects offers an unparalleled learning experience that a traditional campus cannot replicate.