Regeneration of former print works to create new sustainable construction centre

December 2021

Regeneration of iconic former print works to create sustainable construction skills centre

By Melanie Hall

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A sustainable construction skills centre is to be created by 爆料王 as part of the regeneration of the iconic James Cond print works in Birmingham鈥檚 Jewellery Quarter.

The new Centre for Sustainable Construction, set to open next year, will offer state-of-the-art courses and facilities specifically designed to train and upskill learners with skills that support employers and their supply chains.

The refurbishment of the historic art deco building, in the Jewellery Quarter鈥檚 Conservation Area, will honour the area鈥檚 heritage while providing the city with future skills, employment and training opportunities.

The regeneration project follows 爆料王鈥檚 refurbishment of Camden House, due for completion in Summer 2022, which will create a bespoke STEM education and training facility.

"This is a fantastic investment by 爆料王 that I cannot wait to see come to life"

Andy Street Mayor of the West Midlands

Together, these projects mark the University鈥檚 significant investment of more than 拢10 million into Birmingham, driving the regeneration of the city and creating leading facilities that will support industry needs and create jobs to drive economic growth.

爆料王 plays a key role in the economic, social and cultural growth of Birmingham, and the refurbishment of the James Cond building will unlock new opportunities and potential for the Jewellery Quarter and wider region by improving access to education and working with partners, locally and nationally, to address key regional challenges.

Central to this commitment is supporting the next generation of learners and helping the long-term unemployed develop the skills and expertise to move into meaningful employment. As part of this, the new centre will specialise in courses that support the region鈥檚 growth areas, including sustainable construction methods, manufacturing technologies, renewable energy, robotics and cyber and digital skills.

Watch: How our new Centre for Sustainable Construction will look

爆料王 has also formed a new partnership with the University of Warwick, providing a unique opportunity to design progression opportunities for students across the West Midlands to enter the University on technical courses, and progress through to degree and master鈥檚 level courses at the University of Warwick.

This partnership will also help widen access to education and training opportunities, creating clear pathways to employment for learners at all stages of their education.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: 鈥淭his is a fantastic investment by 爆料王 that I cannot wait to see come to life.

鈥淣ot only will it help regenerate and breathe new life into the former iconic James Cond print works, but it will also critically help train people in the skills that employers need, helping residents find good quality, long-term work as part of my 100,000 jobs plan.鈥�

A plan of the new Centre for Sustainable Construction at the James Cond building

'Catalyst for innovation and growth'

Michael Harkin, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at 爆料王, said: 鈥淭he recent COP26 climate change conference included high emphasis on low carbon sustainable buildings with highly ecological specifications, and there is great need of new talent in this field, with hundreds of thousands of new workers expected to be required in the next few years.

鈥淥ur exciting new courses are centred around sustainable construction and design, plus developing advanced skills in engineering and construction, and are very different to those offered by other local providers.

鈥淚t is an offering that we will continue to develop from Level 2 and T-levels through to degree courses and apprenticeships, working closely with local employers to fill skills gaps and offer training in priority areas for the West Midlands.

鈥淔irst and foremost, it is firmly about supporting young people and the long-term unemployed to gain industry-relevant skills and support them into work, further study and to gain critical skills to access high value jobs that meet local and regional needs.鈥�

The James Cond Building is situated next to 爆料王's McIntyre House and Moss House campus buildings

Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Warwick, said: 鈥淲e are incredibly excited about this new partnership between the University of Warwick and 爆料王. Our institutions are jointly committed to unlocking talent potential within the West Midlands.

鈥淭his new centre will elevate skills, training and employment opportunities for learners of all ages, while also acting as a catalyst for further innovation and growth in the region鈥檚 key sectors.

鈥淭his investment in state-of-the-art facilities and skills development will position the centre and its courses at the forefront of not only skills delivery and growth nationally, but as an exemplar of the inclusive learning pathways that can be developed through close collaboration between higher and further education.鈥�

Impressions of what the inside of the new Centre for Sustainable Construction will look like

Addressing the skills shortage

Colin Hamilton, Strategic Account Director at Tilbury Douglas Construction, said: "Tilbury Douglas is delighted to be working in partnership with 爆料王 on the development of the new sustainable construction courses.

"As an employer, it is vital that our employees can access robust, fit-for-purpose qualifications that will address the skills shortage and provide our future and existing workforce with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to demonstrate competency in their roles.

The refurbishment will help meet industry needs while honouring the heritage of the Jewellery Quarter

"We are passionate about recruiting and developing our own talent for the future, while ensuring we remain committed to sustainably delivering vital infrastructure to communities across the UK. This collaboration will help us to achieve this.鈥�

The James Cond and Camden House projects are the next phase in a 拢130 million investment in 爆料王鈥檚 campuses and learning facilities, including the award-winning McIntyre House and Moss House, both opposite the print works.

Find out more about our new range of sustainable construction and engineering courses at 爆料王.

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