Enfield Construction Skills Academy officially opens at Meridian Water regeneration site

A new Enfield Construction Skills Academy has flung open its doors to provide training to support the Meridian Water regeneration in the borough and tackle a skills shortage in the industry.

The Skills Academy will support the demand for skilled workers across the sector including the huge redevelopment project to build 10,000 homes and create 6,000 jobs.

Delivered in partnership by Capital City College Group (CCCG), Enfield Council and Countryside Partnerships, the Skills Academy aims to train 500 people a year.

According to the Construction Industry Training Board, 225,000 extra workers will be required to meet the demands of the UK construction industry by 2027.

The Skills Academy was officially opened at a ceremony on 14 June attended by representatives from the partner organisations, construction employers, education providers and other organisations.

Guests were given demonstrations and invited to try their hand at different construction skills by CONEL students, some of whom could be going on to apprenticeships at the Skills Academy.                                                                  

The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL), part of CCCG, will provide courses and apprenticeships in construction skills with a focus on sustainable development based on industry needs.

Students will benefit from a range of facilities including dedicated indoor and outdoor workspaces to give them hands-on skills using various construction methods and equipment.

Kurt Hintz, Executive Principal of Capital City College Group, said: “At CCCG, we are committed to working with employers to reduce the huge shortfall of skilled construction workers in the UK. The academy will provide excellent construction training to industry standards to boost employment in Enfield and support the local and wider economy.”

“The Skills Academy will further enhance CONEL’s excellent reputation for training people for great construction careers. Our industry-experienced teachers have a huge wealth of skills and knowledge from across the industry from bricklaying, plumbing to carpentry and electrical, to give students and apprentices the best possible training. Many of our programmes will place an emphasis on sustainable development in line with our Mayor’s Academy Green Hub.”

“We look forward to building our relationship with Enfield Council and Countryside Partnerships and the new academy becoming a centre of excellence for construction training in London.”

Enfield Council is committed to empowering people with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to thrive in Enfield by providing education and training.

Cllr Nesil Caliskan, Leader of Enfield Council, said: “Meridian Water is about benefiting the local Edmonton community. By investing in Enfield through programmes such as the Enfield Construction Skills Academy the council can help to deliver positive outcomes that will enable people to gain the qualifications they need for a successful career in the industry.

“This investment will ensure young people have ongoing and sustainable employment which in turn will support the local economy.”

“We are thrilled to see the first learners arriving at the academy this summer and hope they continue onto careers across the development of the Meridian Water site.”

Kate Ives, Strategic Growth Director for London at Countryside Partnerships, said: “The need for the construction industry to recruit and retain talent in the sector has never been greater, so we are immensely proud to open the Enfield Construction Skills Academy alongside our partners Enfield Council and Capital City College Group.

“Providing the workforce of the future with the skills and training opportunities to help deliver the crucial Meridian Water regeneration programme and more, the academy is set to leave a considerable legacy across the borough and beyond.”

Find out more about the Enfield Construction Skills Academy and apply here.

More information on the Meridian Water development can be found here.

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