The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, visited (11 September 2020) the site of the future Construction Skills Accelerator Centre (CSAC), to hear from the visionary team behind the innovative project.
The CSAC, which has received almost £2m of government funding, will be built in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, establishing a South West centre of excellence to inspire, train and connect people entering and advancing within the construction industry.
The Minister met with Managing Director of the CSAC and a Director of K W Bell Group, Nicola Bird, whose vision to develop an industry-led solution to the construction skills shortage has spearheaded the project, and Peter Bell, Managing Director of K W Bell Group, which is co-funding the project.
Nicola Bird said: “We’re very appreciative of the interest taken by the Secretary of State in this project. At the moment, everyone’s attention is focused on the practicalities of getting a building out of the ground – we’re ‘shovel-ready’ as soon as the planning process is complete. But it was great to discuss with the Minister our vision for the impacts we can achieve here, once the centre is up and running.
“We have a unique opportunity to develop real and virtual learning environments that are designed by the industry, for the industry, inspiring a new generation while supporting those already in the construction industry to upskill.”
Led by K W Bell Group, with the support of industry employers including JCB, in collaboration with Gloucestershire College and the University of Gloucestershire, the CSAC will be focused on developing job-ready men and women, equipped with knowledge and practical experience of the latest technological advances in sustainability and digital construction.
