Merseyside modular homes specialist Starship teams up with Hugh Baird College in Bootle to offers students an insight into the latest building techniques. Tony McDonough reports

Merseyside modular homes pioneer Starship Group is offering students an insight to the latest techniques for building low carbon homes.

Starship was formed following the acquisition and merger of several existing property development and construction businesses. It is backed by a private investment fund and has delivered more than £75m of residential projects across the UK.

In August 2022 it announced it was relocating its main production facility from Deeside to Wirral Waters and said it aimed to create 100 new jobs.

In 2021 it completed four factory-built modular homes in New Ferry in Wirral. These zero-carbon properties have since been handed over to housing association Magenta Living.

Now it will help Hugh Baird College in Bootle, integrate cutting-edge building techniques into the curriculum of the college’s construction and trades courses.

Starship will provide students with manufacturing facility tours, industry talks, integrated specialised training, and collaboration on a modular housing build. More initiatives are planned for the future.

Kevin Hardy, head of manufacturing at Starship, said: “It is fantastic to see students acquiring new skills not only pertinent to offsite manufacturing but are also transferable to traditional build.”

“It’s a privilege introducing students to Starship’s manufacturing facilities at Wirral Waters, offering them a glimpse into the practical application of these skills in the industry and the myriad of career opportunities available to them.”

Paula Waltmaier, director of curriculum at Hugh Baird, added: “Empowering our students with industry-relevant skills is at the core of our mission. Together, we are shaping the future of construction by fostering innovation, sustainability, and a passion for learning.

“Our collaboration with Starship Group is a testament to our commitment to bridging the gap between education and the evolving demands of the construction industry as we enter the era of net-zero homes.”