Owner of the multi-billion pound Wirral Waters, Peel L&P, is to offer work experience and job search support to students at Wirral Met College. Tony McDonough reports

Wirral Met College is teaming up with Peel L&P to help construction students develop practical skills and get job search support.

Peel L&P is the owner of the multi-billion pound Wirral Waters project on the banks of the Mersey. Wirral Met is based within Wirral Waters and the new partnership will give students access to the property giant’s expertise.

Students on a construction study programme or apprenticeship will have the opportunity to develop practical skills related to their chosen trade, gain their CSCS card and take part in CV writing, job search sessions and work experience.

Endorsed by Peel L&P, they will also get the chance to gain valuable industry insight through site visits to Wirral Waters’ ongoing projects, including Hythe and Maritime Knowledge Hub, and have access to career talks from industry leaders.

Representatives from Wirral Met and Peel L&P celebrated the new programme this week at a launch event held at the college’s RIBA award-winning Wirral Waters construction campus. The campus was the first new building to be completed within Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters regeneration scheme and was designed by architects Glenn Howells.

Richard Mawdsley, director of development for Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters, was in attendance alongside Wirral Met assistant principal Ella Tsui-Lau and head of construction Paul Crawford.

Mr Mawdsley said: “From the outset Peel L&P has been committed to maximising opportunities for local people stemming from the Wirral Waters regeneration project.

“This Passport to Employment Skills programme is just one part of our partnership with Wirral Met College and builds on the learning experiences we continue to offer through the range of live construction projects at Wirral Waters.”

More than 20 student representatives took part in the day to celebrate their achievements on a six-week Passport to Construction Skills induction programme, which now gives them the opportunity to progress on to Passport to Employment Skills.

Sue Higginson, principal at Wirral Met College, added: “As the further education college partner within the Wirral Waters regeneration project, our curriculum is designed to create the workforce that will build this vision.

“Our partnership with Peel L&P ensures that our offer is relevant to the latest innovation in construction and our iconic campus is at the heart of the regeneration plans. As a WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence member, strong links with employers are crucial.”