A new construction skills centre at City College’s Wilson Avenue campus was approved by Brighton & Hove’s planning committee yesterday (Wednesday, 4 June).
The purpose-built facility will offer students the opportunity to learn electrician and plumbing skills, carpentry, painting and decorating, brickwork and plastering and, in the future, sustainable technologies.
There will be double height workshops and a triple height display space where students will be able to replicate the construction of a two-storey house.
The building will include viewing space so that students can see demonstrations in the workshops.
Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty, chair of the planning committee, said: “This will be a fantastic resource for the city and provide opportunities for young people to gain the most up to date construction skills on one campus. Training the next generation in construction skills will provide employment and support the city’s economy.
“The design of the new buildings is also of high quality and fit in well with the neighbouring South Downs National Park.”
The construction trades are currently being taught in a mixture of former classrooms dating back to the 1970s.
City College plans to demolish part of an existing building to create the new three-storey centre and existing buildings will be refurbished