Birmingham Gateway Construction Academy
Investing in the future workforce of Birmingham
The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station will not only transform passenger journeys but also brings new job opportunities to the city. This challenging project requires a strong and dynamic workforce so that the project continues to progress on time and on budget.
The project, the biggest building project in the West Midlands is worth £400m to the construction industry and will create up to 1,000 jobs during construction.
A dedicated training and resource facility
The pledge came as Councillor Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council and Richard Thorpe, a director for international consultation and construction company Mace formally opened the Birmingham Gateway Construction Academy. The academy will provide a dedicated training and resource facility which will aim to maximise skills opportunities and help secure employment for local people.
Network Rail is working with Birmingham City Council's Employment Access Team to open up job opportunities on the project to local people.
The procurement strategy of the project has also been structured in a way to allow local firms to bid for contracts. Local companies such as Coleman & Co, based in Perry Barr have successfully bid for multi-million pound contracts, creating job opportunities for local people. Other local companies working on the project include Lyndon Scaffolding, based in Garretts Green, Birmingham and Thomas Vale Construction based in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire.
How can I get involved?
Anyone interested in working on the Birmingham Gateway Project or receiving training through the academy should contact a member of Birmingham City Council's employment access team, which is working with with Jobcentre Plus, the Skills Funding Agency and individual suppliers to the project to match local skills and resources to relevant vacancies:
Employment Access Team, Birmingham City Council
(Monday to Friday 10am-4pm)
0121 464 2112 / eatgateway@birmingham.gov.uk
Alternatively, complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) form on-line at: http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/eat-eoi
Case studies
We met with some people living in the West Midlands who have been recently appointed to work on the project and are receiving training through the academy. Click on a name below to find out more.
