East Lancashire Learning Group invests £3.3m in construction training

East Lancashire Learning Group (ELLG) is investing £3.3m to improve construction training at Accrington and Rossendale College, backed by £2.6m of Government funding. 

The project will deliver new facilities and increase the number of people able to train for jobs in construction.

The funding, from the Department for Education’s Construction Skills Capacity Fund, will support a new multi-skills construction training zone and expanded workshops for plumbing, electrical installation, site joinery, carpentry and bench joinery. 

Existing classrooms will be updated to match current construction methods and industry needs.

Lisa O’Loughlin CBE, principal and CEO at ELLG, said: “This is a transformational investment, not only for our college but for the communities and employers we serve.

“Construction is one of the region’s fastest-growing sectors, yet employers continue to face significant skills shortages. 

“This funding will allow us to train many more people in industry-standard facilities that reflect the realities of today’s workplace.”

O’Loughlin added: “By working hand in hand with employers, we’re ensuring our learners develop the skills, experience and confidence they need to progress into apprenticeships, higher education and highly skilled careers, while helping businesses access the workforce they need to grow.”