With 8,000 homes due to be built in and around Birkenhead Wirral Met College is taking on more construction tutors to meet demand for skilled workers. Tony McDonough reports
Wirral Met College is looking to hire a number of new construction tutors to meet demand for skilled workers needed to build 8,000 homes around Birkenhead.
Under Wirral draft local plan, currently under consultation, 13,360 new homes will be built in the next few years. Around 8,000 will be built in Birkenhead or at Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters development.
In May it was announced work had started on a project to build 1,000 new homes on a disused railway line in Birkenhead. And work will soon start on a £130m project to build 500 new homes at Wirral Waters.
Wirral Met is hosting a specialist recruitment event on Wednesday, June 8, between 6pm and 7.30pm. It is looking to fill a number of construction teaching roles due to planned growth in the department.
Flexible teaching roles are available across brickwork, joinery, plastering, electrical, plumbing, gas, and painting and decorating. There will also be roles in building services and engineering.
Sue Higginson, principal at Wirral Met, said: “Over the next 30 years, the regeneration project by Peel L&P will result in a substantial growth in job opportunities, especially in construction. There will be a need to upskill an experienced workforce and train young people with new skills across all trades.
“To support the growth of construction activity in Wirral, we are looking for experienced construction industry professionals to pass on their skills.
“Many industry professionals aren’t aware that they don’t need a degree to start teaching in further education. Wirral Met will provide and pay for teacher training. Roles are also available part-time or full-time, giving workers the flexibility to teach around their current occupations.
“More than 300 students took part in the construction of our award-winning campus. We are looking to continue this legacy by building our team now to support local development opportunities.”
In May, builder Morgan Sindall launched a Knowledge Quad in Birkenhead in partnership with Wirral Met. It is a multi-purpose training and learning facility focusing on the four key areas of skills, education, employment and discovery.
And in October last year the college announced a partnership with Peel L&P. It allows students on a construction study programme or apprenticeship to develop practical skills related to their chosen trade.
Richard Mawdsley, director of development for Wirral Waters, said: “From the outset Peel L&P has been committed to maximising opportunities for local people. Our long-term strategic partnership with Wirral Met College is a critical part of us delivering on this commitment.
“The partnership started with the completion of the Wirral Met College Construction campus in 2015. During this latest phase of delivery, we have worked with the college and our main contractors to maximise opportunities.
“As the construction begins on other developments this partnership will grow to the benefit of local people seeking training and job opportunities in construction.”
The recruitment event takes place on Wednesday 8 June between 6pm and 7.30pm at Wirral Waters campus, Tower Road, Birkenhead, CH41 1AA. Click here to find out more.