Courses will be taught by the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, reports Philbert Osei-Wusu

Enfield Construction Skills Academy (credit Enfield Council)

A construction skills academy has opened at Meridian Water with more than 500 students now set to be trained there each year.

Enfield Construction Skills Academy has been delivered by Enfield Council with Countryside Partnerships and Capital City College Group (CCCG) and has started to accept students and also provide opportunities for local people hoping to gain the skills and qualifications needed for a career in construction.

Courses will be led by the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (Conel), which is part of CCCG, and there will be a particular focus on teaching sustainable construction methods and how to improve energy efficiency in buildings. Apprenticeships will also be available in different areas such as carpentry, plumbing, brickwork and thermal installation.

The academy is located within the Meridian One development, part of the wider Meridian Water housing project, where the first new homes at the Edmonton site are now being built. In total, 10,000 are planned to be built over the next 25 years. The new academy building features a reception area, canteen, offices, visitor centre, classrooms, workshops and an external outside area.

Robin Hindley, Conel’s vice principal, said: “CCCG is proud to be the official training provider for the skills academy, which will deliver a pipeline of skilled workers for the huge regeneration of Enfield on the Meridian Water site.”

Ray Toft, managing director at Countryside Partnerships, spoke about what it means to have the academy is place and said: “True regeneration is about much more than just delivering new homes. Via our innovative skills academy, Meridian One is providing skills and training opportunities for the community, upskilling local people which in turn supports the local economy.”

Council leader Nesil Caliskan said: “This project will provide local residents with opportunities to train and learn new skills, opening the doors to future careers in construction industry. Edmonton residents will be the primary beneficiaries of Meridian Water and the skills academy is yet another example of how local people will benefit from the development.”

For more information on Enfield Construction Skills Academy and how to enroll:
Visit capitalccg.ac.uk/skills-academies/enfield

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