Work has completed on the Housing Innovation & Construction Skills Academy (HICSA) as it prepares to open this September
The pioneering Construction Skills Academy will help train the next generation of UK builders and engineers.
The building will now be handed over to Sunderland College, part of the Education Partnership North East, which will complete the fit-out ahead of its planned opening at the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year in September.
MMC skills will be priority at the construction skills academy
Modern construction techniques, low-carbon technology, and Skills England priorities will be at the forefront of the curriculum, with techniques being taught for creating factory-built homes.
Sunderland City Council, in partnership with Sunderland College, have committed to being a UK leader in building sustainable, eco-friendly, and affordable homes for future generations.
Students at the Construction Skills Academy will learn about retrofitting and incorporating newer technologies, such as heat pumps, into new and existing homes.
The courses will be provided in collaboration with Northumbria University, Gentoo, Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, and other key partners. This will provide clear career paths into higher education, apprenticeships, or professional qualifications.
In July last year, another construction skills academy was opened in Nottingham, offering upskilling and job placements to Nottingham residents.
Future developments on the site
HICSA has been built on a brownfield site spanning 32-hectares on both the North and South banks of the River Wear, in the centre of Sunderland city.
When complete, the area will also see new offices, parks, leisure developments, and a new hospital alongside 1,000 new sustainable homes.
“Providing young people with the skills and knowledge required to make sustainable, eco-friendly homes”
Councillor Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for business, housing and regeneration, said: “Seeing work finally complete on the Housing Innovation & Construction Skills Academy is a proud moment for everyone involved in the project.
“The people of Sunderland have a rich history of making things and HICSA will further build on this proud heritage, providing our young people with the skills and knowledge required to make the sustainable, eco-friendly homes of tomorrow.
“It will also see hundreds of young people every year study in this transforming part of the city, increasing their dwell time in the city centre and their spend with local businesses. It is yet another exciting milestone in the development of Riverside Sunderland, which is fast becoming recognised as one of the UK’s most ambitious urban regeneration projects.”
Ellen Thinnesen, CEO at Education Partnership North East, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to see the completion of the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy. This cutting-edge facility will be truly transformational – equipping local people with the skills they need to progress high-quality careers in the construction and housing sectors.
“HICSA will be a hub of collaboration, bringing together partners from across the region to tackle the challenges of to drive innovation, sustainability, and long-term growth.
“We’re now looking forward to the building being formally handed over to Sunderland College and completing the internal fit-out ahead of welcoming our first students this September.”
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