Build Update on the new engineering & civil engineering training centre for EKC Group

Quinn Estates and education organisation EKC Group welcomed the Lord Mayor and Cllr Glover, representing the Sturry ward, to a build update on the new engineering and civil engineering training centre in Hersden on Friday 13th May 2022.

Forming part of the Hoplands Park development that was consented a few years ago, the centre is being built by Quinn Estates and gifted to the EKC Group to support its work in training the next generation of construction professionals. Hoplands Park also includes 250 new two, three & four bed homes that are being built by national housebuilder Redrow Homes.

Mark Quinn, Chairman of Quinn Estates ‘We are passionate about contributing positively to the communities in which we build. The planning committee voted unanimously in favour of this scheme a few years ago and we are delighted to now be on site and delivering on a project that will train young people for careers in the exciting construction sector.’

Kurt Salter, Managing Director of EKC WorkHigher which is part of the Group, said: “It’s amazing to see this centre coming to fruition. There’s a clear skills gap in the civil engineering sector in this area, and our vision is for the centre to fully fill that, ensuring that employers have the right skills to grow and flourish in the future. We’re aiming to be the training centre of choice for local employers who need their staff to get formal qualifications, such as our Apprenticeships, as well as for the smaller certificates they need. We’re really excited by the progress, and can’t wait to get in here to start training the next generation of talented construction professionals.”

The centre includes a building containing an office, training centre and other facilities whilst the external yard is set out as a series of stations where students can work on key skills such as drainage and brick laying.

The centre is due to be completed in September 2022 with the first students to start using the facility that month. It is anticipated that the centre will have over 300 learners, studying a variety of courses ranging from CSCS cards through to full Civil Engineering Apprenticeships.

Cllr Glover, representing the Sturry Ward said ‘Pre-planning, Quinn Estates were very active in talking to the local community and understanding the issues in the area. To now be in a position where a hugely significant and beneficial training facility is being built is really exciting and provides the young people in the district with such a great opportunity.’

Together with a new children’s nursery, this represents a £1.5m investment in the local community from Quinn Estates.

Cllr Glover is a governor of several schools including Simon Langton Girls Grammar School and the four local primary schools She worked at KCC Education as an Accountant for 20 years and is a dedicated educationalist.

For more information please call Alastair Cracknell on 075780881814 or email: alastair@quinn-estates.com

For more information:
https://www.quinn-estates.com/
Twitter: @Quinn_Estates
LinkedIn: Quinn Estates
Instagram: @quinn_estates