Liverpool City Region has been awarded Government funding to deliver a £2million dedicated Port Academy training facility. Bootle-based Hugh Baird College has founded the Port Academy Liverpool programme in a bid to prepare youngsters aged 14 and upwards for job opportunities in maritime operations and logistics created by the development of the Port of Liverpool, the Hugh Baird College press service reports.
Hugh Baird College principal and chief executive Yana Williams said the newly secured funding will be used to re-develop the college’s Pembroke Centre to create a one-stop-shop for maritime related training including engineering, construction, business, law, ICT, science and advanced manufacturing.
Following the successful funding bid, secured after 18 months of canvassing, the next stage will be to work towards securing contractors through a tender process and to apply for planning permission.
In the meantime, Hugh Baird chiefs have been working with architects the IBI Group in a bid to finalise the Pembroke Centre plans. College bosses hope to see re-development work begin as soon as autumn 2015, with an estimated final completion date of late spring 2016.
Yana Williams said facility user groups would be consulted by the design team to ensure that the plans are in line with their requirements.
The Hugh Baird College funding was awarded as part of the Liverpool City Region’s £232m Growth Deal secured by the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) last year.
Robert Hough, Chair of Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership said: “I am extremely pleased to see the first tranche of our Growth Deal being allocated to our City Region Colleges, including Hugh Baird College.
About Hugh Baird College
Hugh Baird College is one of the leading Further Education colleges in Merseyside. It is based in Bootle Liverpool and has more than 7,000 students aged 16 and over. It is committed to improving life, job and business prospects through excellent education, training and support. The college has more than 300 courses to choose from including Business Studies, Bricklaying, Performing Arts, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy. It offers full time or part time study, apprenticeships, diplomas, NVQs, or Full Honours Degrees. It has been top of Government league tables for Further Education Colleges in Merseyside for the last four years (based on points score per exam entry).
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