Building Academy Launched at Wrexham Prison Site
Date Posted: November 18, 2015
Posted In: Ideas, News,
From NewsNorthWales: An academy that will equip young apprentices with construction skills has been launched on the site of Wrexham’s new prison.
The Learning and Ambition Academy, which has been awarded National Skills Academy for Construction status, will “present a breadth of opportunity” for those wanting to work in the construction industry, according to Iwan Thomas from the North Wales Economic Ambition Board.
The board has been working alongside Wrexham Council and contractors Lend Lease to ensure the local economy benefits from the build of the £200 million super prison on the former Firestone factory site.
The classroom has been set up on the site of a new north Wales prison to enable construction students to learn about the project. The Learning and Ambition Academy is a joint project between builders and other agencies to develop skills for future builders. Once the work is finished, the classroom will be dismantled and moved to another large building project.
Ahead of the build, Lend Lease pledged to spend £30m with local businesses, promised to recruit half of its labour locally, and to offer 100 apprenticeships 500 days of work placement.
The company also agreed to meet with the community to discuss their needs.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Lend Lease project manager Simon Caron said it took “great effort” to get to this stage and said the company had a great responsibility to the construction industry.