Esh Construction has been awarded a £5.5 million contract to design
and build a new Construction Skills Training Centre at Lakes College, Lillyhall,
near Workington in Cumbria.
Esh Construction is part Esh Group which expanded its operations into Cumbria in 2010 by opening offices in Kendal and making a commitment that ‘local jobs would be created for local people’.
Detailed design work is about to start and construction work will begin in spring this
year and be completed in early 2013.
The new Centre will be built next to current college buildings at Lakes College and
will enable the training of around 280 young people annually in a range of
construction related skills and qualifications, many of which will be for the
nuclear industry and its future infrastructure.
Stephen Wilkie, Divisional Director of Esh Construction, said:
“We are delighted to have been awarded this valuable contract for this
important new Construction Skills Training Centre in West Cumbria. At Esh Group, we are passionate about supporting training and development in young people so we are genuinely excited to be involved in contributing to the construction sector capability of Cumbria in this way.
“Through the construction stage, we will employ as many local organisations in our supply
chain as possible. This is what we promised to do when we opened our Cumbrian office nearly two years ago. We at Esh Group are absolutely committed to supporting
the local community and Lakes College by offering training, education, networking and employment opportunities.”
Cockermouth based Day Cummins Architects and RG Parkins Consulting Engineers, from Kendal, are already engaged as part of Esh Contruction’s Project Team.
The building will incorporate a wide range of sustainable technologies and will be engineered to a high BREEAM rating.
Commissioned by Cumbria County Council, the Council will manage the building in partnership with Britain’s Energy Coast.
Britain’s Energy Coast is investing £4 million in the Centre through its funding partner Nuclear Management Partners. The University of Cumbria is investing £2m via Britain’s Energy Coast Campus and Lakes College will invest £1m in new equipment and facilities.
County Councillor Tony Markley, Cabinet Member for Economic Development at Cumbria County Council said.
“I’m delighted that we’ve found a contractor who will lead us on the first steps
towards making this valuable education centre available to the young people of
Cumbria.
“The new campus will be a massive boost for the local economy, playing a valuable
role in educating our future workforce.
“The anticipated development of infrastructure projects in Cumbria could mean that
around 4,400 jobs being created. The construction skills centre will ensure
that local young people are able to take on these jobs.”
Brian Wilson, Chairman of Britain’s Energy Coast, said:
“This is a major development for the future of West Cumbria. Making sure local people can
take advantage of opportunities in the energy sector is the primary reason why
Britain’s Energy Coast is supporting this project.
“A new power station will be a huge undertaking along with the associated
infrastructure. The new centre will play a big part in making sure West Cumbria
is ready and able.”
Cath Richardson, Principal of Lakes College, said:
“In light of the current economic climate it is incredibly positive to see such an exciting
investment for young people in the area.”
