Beard has been named as the chosen contractor by Gloucestershire College for its £5 million sustainable construction centre in Cheltenham.
The project, which is set to begin this month (November 2023) will see the construction of the 14,000 square-foot facility and will feature 10 plumbing bays, 12 electrical bays and 20 bays for carpentry, as well as four classrooms.
With sustainability at its core, the training provision will be based on nationally set pathways and will embrace low-carbon energy and associated skills. In total, the construction centre will provide hands-on experience, expert training and key green skills to 164 learners every week.
The new construction training centre forms part of the college’s vision to prepare the workforce of the future. It aims to help address the increasing demand for skilled construction workers in the region, which is projected to reach 6,400 annually by 2025. The facility also coincides with the shift towards net-zero carbon technologies in construction.
For more than 130 years, Beard has built an established reputation in the education sector, whether it’s in primary, secondary, SEND provision or further education. We will utilise this expertise to help Gloucestershire College deliver a cutting-edge teaching and learning space for construction.
JAMIE HARWOOD
Director
Beard is working closely with the college and all partners to keep both staff and students safe and to minimise disruption. The project is being delivered through our Swindon office, working alongside architects Roberts Limbrick, project managers Ridge and Partners LLP, quantity surveyors Ward Williams Associates and structural engineers Simpson Associates.
MATTHEW BURGESS
Principal, Gloucestershire College
Across our offices in Swindon, Bristol, Oxford and Guildford, Beard has completed a number of projects within the education sector. In addition to extensive work in further education - including for Oxford University and its colleges, we have delivered projects in primary, secondary and special education.
The training centre marks a return to Cheltenham for Beard following the successful completion of The Quadrangle, a £12 million office refurbishment and extension project in the town centre.
