Fantastic facilities showcased at launch of new Construction & Engineering campus

Industry leaders and VIP guests were taken on tours and watched the unveiling of a plaque at the official launch of New City College’s £15 million Construction & Engineering campus in Rainham on Thursday, 30^th September.

The bright and modern building with state-of-the-art facilities and top-class technology, was made possible by funding from New City College (NCC) and a £5.2 million grant from the Mayor of London’s Further Education Capital Investment Fund, through the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP).

The sector-leading centre of excellence is now fully operational with hundreds of students benefiting from teaching and learning in an industry-standard environment.

At the launch, Group Principal and CEO Gerry McDonald told guests, who included MP Julia Lopez: “The real story today is about the skills our young people will develop in this centre. That is the legacy that this new campus will have for many years to come. It has been designed so that our students will receive specialist training in line with the exact needs of the immediate area, which is undergoing huge regeneration, making sure that we have a newly-qualified workforce that the industry desperately needs.

“We are grateful to have support and involvement from many employers who are helping us to create a centre of which the industry and the community can be proud.”

Campus head, Catherine Foley, said: “The idea for this centre started 10 years ago and if it wasn’t for the support of NCC and the investment provided, it would still be just a dream. Part of our success is that we have worked closely with employers and together we are helping to train and nurture the next generation of builders, plumbers, electricians, engineers, carpenters, surveyors, painters and decorators.”

A commemorative plaque made by the students was unveiled by Mary Vine-Morris, Association of Colleges Area Director for London, who said: “A skilled workforce is central to our recovery and this campus has been designed with industry and employment at the heart of it.”

The new campus has received the Mayor of London’s Construction Academy Scheme accreditation, which is only given to high quality centres which promote collaboration between industry and skills providers to meet the economy’s needs.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I’m committed to supporting Londoners to gain the skills they need to get good jobs and create the workforce we need for the future.

“This fantastic new campus will enable students to train for vital careers in the construction industry in one of the very best facilities in London.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, it is more important than ever that we provide high quality training for jobs that will benefit key industries like construction and help boost London’s economic recovery.”

Students and staff spoke about how the excellent facilities were benefiting them already. Students Kacey Martin, Rio Sharpe and Harrison Thorpe told guests that they enjoyed the new opportunities the campus had brought them and that the environment had improved their learning.

Some students have also been rewarded through new relationships with industry; the main building contractor, Ashe, has provided work experience placements during the construction of the campus, and these have led to permanent job offers and funding for university study.