The education and training provider will open the doors of its Construction Career College at its Gainsborough Campus in September and students can apply now.
This new college represents a unique opportunity for young people to secure a lucrative and rewarding career and for the region to plug its skills gap.
Career Colleges are an exciting new concept in learning - backed by, and shaped by, industry experts.
Students will be exposed to real life working environments and replicate full- working days through a blend of technical training and experience on the construction sites of the region’s best firms.
The Construction Career College is backed by The Gelder Group, Lindum Group, Robert Woodhead, Longhurst Housing Group, ONGO Homes and West Lindsey District Council.
In year-one 16-plus students will study Level One, Two and Three qualifications according to a curriculum co-designed by industry partners.
In year-two The College will open up to 14-plus students so that they can get ahead of the game and be career-ready ahead of their peers.
Students, who can specialise in bricklaying, painting and decorating and carpentry and joinery, will be immersed in technical training, shaped by industry experts. High-performing students will have the option to be fast-tracked into apprenticeships to start earning while they learn at an earlier date.
The Career College will also focus on skills like confidence, attitude, team building and leadership, which employers have identified as missing from young candidates in the region
Students will refurbish social housing and take part in large-scale community-based building projects here in the UK and abroad. All graduates will leave having completed their Construction Safety Card training, meaning that they will be able to work on sites from the moment they secure employment.
Lincoln College Group CEO Gary Headland said:
“We are delighted to be launching our Construction Career College at Gainsborough.
“This college, supported by the very best regional industry partners, is a huge step forward for professional technical training in Lincolnshire and demonstrates our commitment to being employer-led, building a highly skilled, productive local workforce.
“Since arriving at The Lincoln College Group, my team and I have devoted a huge amount of time to engaging with and listening to our local business and industry leaders. We have invited these experts to join us in helping to enhance our strategy, our curriculum, and our culture, for the good of our students and the local economy.
“We have secured licenses for two further Career Colleges and we hope to make exciting announcements on those soon. All of these colleges are focused on identified skills gaps in Lincolnshire and together with trusted local firms, we will begin to plug these gaps.
“This Construction Career College, which will take students from the age of 16 this year, represents a significant new opportunity for young people. We will educate and train students to be career-ready in terms of the skills and qualifications they need, but also through a unique level of exposure to construction sites, industry expertise and through working on large-scale building and maintenance projects that will benefit communities here and abroad.
“Students will also be exposed to the culture of work, learn about working in teams and develop leadership skills to set them apart from other young people.
“This is a living, breathing demonstration of our continued intent to change the narrative around Further Education. For too long it has been viewed as the poor-relation to Higher Education. We are offering fast-track pathways into lucrative, secure careers that do not lumber our young people with debt. For many students in Lincolnshire, this Career College and others like it are the right choice for them.”
Gelder Group CEO Steve Gelder said:
“I am absolutely delighted that Lord Baker's team chose Gelder Ltd to be the lead employer for the UK's first ever Construction Career College, that the first one will be in my home town of Gainsborough and that we've been able to partner with Gary Headland's team at Lincoln College to deliver it.
“This is a very proud day for me, and something that dovetails perfectly with the Gelder Group's vision of ‘Inspiring a Generation in Construction’.
“A Construction Career College will give us the opportunity to work closely together to not only recruit and inspire the next generation of construction workers, but to also work together with other building organisations, all of whom will recognise the need for more youngsters in the industry.
“What really excites me is that it is all kicking off in my home town of Gainsborough. It's not often that Gainsborough gets the opportunity to lead the UK at something so It's a great opportunity for the town, it's leaders and its residents to shine - which they will.”
Founder and Trustee of the Career Colleges Trust, Lord Baker, said:
“Career Colleges provide specialist vocational training, underpinned with solid academic teaching – which ensures young people are equipped with the skills needed for career success.
“Employers take a leading role in the design and delivery of the curriculum, making it wholly relevant to the real world of work. As well as being of huge benefit to the students and preparing them for employment, Career Colleges are helping to address future skills gaps and support the growth of UK industry.
“The construction industry is booming and the new Career College in Lincoln is very well-placed to offer excellent opportunities to the local community.”
For more information, a Curriculum Guide, entry requirements and to apply now, click here.
