Our £4.75million Advanced Construction Engineering (ACE) Centre is equipped to train the next generation of construction professionals, including bricklayers, plumbers, electricians, decorators and carpenters.
Since the opening of the inital ACE Building in 2019, an extension has been built, giving bricklaying students extra room to hone their skills, along with a new 'sustainable classroom' incorporating a number of environmentally friendly resources such as a green roof, solar panels and hot water systems.
This state-of-the-art facility is now home to 400 students on full-time construction study programmes, 200 Apprentices and 50 adult students.
The Centre aims to produce a pipeline of ‘work-ready’ staff for local employers, tackle the severe skills shortages threatening to hit the construction industry in Northamptonshire, and focus on developing the skills needed for the most up to date construction and engineering technologies.
Courses are offered from Level 1 through to Level 3, and alongside courses which focus on craft skills there are also courses at Level 3 for those looking for supervisory, technician or management careers in the sector, such as in Civil Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or Project Management.
Students also have the option to take a multi-skills programme, including Bricklaying, Plumbing, Carpentry, Decorating and Electrical, which allows students to experience a number of trades before deciding where to specialise.
Our industry partners
Industry based partners for the ACE Centre include Kier, Balfour Beatty, ENGIE, Bowmer & Kirkland, Metcalfe and the Murphy Group.
“This project provides a key opportunity to help nurture and develop talent in the younger generation where we currently see a skills gap shortage. The significant benefits that it will provide are skills and training to enhance the future for the local construction industry, local individuals and to the local area.”
"It’s incredibly important that young people learn construction skills. The industry faces significant skills and employment challenges in the coming years and it’s essential that young people are given the opportunity to learn trade, technical and professional skills to support the future of the construction industry.’’
