Phelan supports construction education in Essex

Phelan supports construction education in Essex

From taking on apprentices in a variety of different disciplines to offering our people training courses for career progression, Phelan sees the value in investing in the next generation of our industry.

It is, therefore, with great pride that we announce Phelan is the sponsor of Colchester Institute’s new “Construction Skills Centre” at their Clacton Campus. A fantastic addition to a college, it will train the next wave of construction professionals for our industry while also providing a range of benefits to support local economic growth in the area.

An initiative endorsed by Essex County Council and sponsored by Phelan Construction, the Construction Skills Centre will deliver unique construction trade programmes specifically for adult learners in the Tendring District; providing direct support to local businesses, including growing the talent pool of local skilled labour.

Benefits include;
  • Training opportunities in a variety of construction trades including plastering and tiling.
  • Industry-relevant City & Guilds qualifications
  • Opportunity to gain CSCS card

The centre will enable the college to train hundreds more adults and young people for careers in the construction industry. Adult students already employed in relevant industries will benefit from the facilities through training organised for employers, which in the past they may have had to travel some distance to access. Industry-standard equipment will ensure that students receive the vital practical training – as well as the right qualifications to start successful careers, which include traditional City and Guilds.

The opportunity to change career and access high earning jobs within the construction sector is very real. This centre provides training that focuses on the specific skills and behaviours employers are looking to fill current skills shortages. For candidates with the right work ethic, this means quick routes to much-needed employment within the construction industry.” Adam Ward, Director of STEM Innovation at Colchester Institute.

“Phelan Construction is thrilled to be sponsoring the new Construction Skills Centre at Colchester Institute’s Clacton campus. The construction sector overall is in the midst of a serious nationwide skills shortage. This is causing increasing labour costs and limits to construction activity and is predicted to only get worse. The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has reported that the industry needs to find 157,000 new recruits by 2021 in order to keep up with demand. At Phelan Construction, we take this industry-wide problem very seriously and wanted to work with our local training provider and educator, Colchester Institute, to develop a tangible, practical solution that could help start tackling this problem in our local area. We’re looking forward to working closely with Colchester Institute to continue to grow and establish this fantastic training facility for many more years to come.”

-Matt Jolly, Pre-Construction Manager at Phelan Construction.