SCHOOL LEAVERS URGED TO JOIN REGION’S CONSTRUCTION BOOM!

School leavers are being urged to think about a career in construction as the region experiences a revival in the industry.

Andrew Cartwright, Head of School of Technology at City of Wolverhampton College, made the call as millions of pounds is ploughed into developments and projects across Wolverhampton and beyond.

He said: “Over £992m of investment in city centre projects is either on site or planned, while 45,000 new homes are set to be built across the Black Country by 2026 in one of Britain’s biggest ever Brownfield site regenerations.

“With hundreds of new job being created over the next few years, young people that gain their skills now – whether in plumbing, brickwork, carpentry or painting and decorating – will be prepared and ready to fill that demand.”

Planned projects across the region include building Britain’s biggest ever garden city across 30 towns in the region, a new state of the art railway station and Metro line extension in Wolverhampton, a new college campus in the city centre, and the development of a 15 acre industrial site at i54. Both the former Sainsburys St George’s site and Royal Hospital site have been earmarked for development.

Andrew added: “This construction boom means that there has never been a better time to learn a trade.

“We are working with employers across the region, including Carillion, Bullock, Taylor Wimpey, Waites Construction and Wolverhampton Homes, to ensure that young people have the skills required to meet future demand within the industry. Our courses have been tailored with their needs in mind, as we prepare students for these exciting times.”

For more information on construction courses at college ring 01902 836000 or visit www.wolvcoll.ac.uk