Enfield Construction Skills Academy at Meridian Water site will create hundreds of jobs each year - CCCG
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Enfield Construction Skills Academy at Meridian Water site will create hundreds of jobs each year

A new Enfield Construction Skills Academy has been launched at the borough’s Meridian Water regeneration site to train hundreds of people to work in the industry each year.

Enfield Construction Skills Academy at Meridian Water site will create hundreds of jobs each year

Meridian Water is Enfield Council’s massive £6 billion 20-year project to build 10,000 new homes and create 5,000 jobs on a site next to Lee Valley Regional Park in Edmonton.

Delivered by Enfield Council with Countryside Partnerships and Capital City College Group (CCCG), the Skills Academy will provide the skills and qualifications needed to work in the sector. It has already started accepting students and aims to train more than 500 people a year.

Training is being provided by the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL), part of CCCG, and will place a special focus on teaching sustainable construction methods including how to retrofit buildings to higher energy insulation standards.

Apprenticeships are available in plumbing, electrical installations, carpentry, brickwork, thermal insulation, assembly and installation, design and build, floor laying roofing, groundwork, site supervision and engineering. CONEL is also be offering free short courses in construction and employability skills.

The Skills Academy forms part of the initial phase of Meridian One, the first development at Meridian Water. Meridian One includes the construction of nearly 1,000 homes alongside several infrastructure works, such as the recently completed Meridian Water railway station.

Totalling 948 square metres, the Skills Academy features a reception area, canteen, offices, visitor centre, classrooms, workshops and an external area for outside training exercises. Designed by Hawkins\Brown, the building reflects the site’s former industrial heritage.

Cllr Nesil Caliskan, Leader of Enfield Council, said: “This project will provide local residents with opportunities to train and learn new skills, opening the doors to future careers in the construction industry. Edmonton residents will be the primary beneficiaries of Meridian Water, and the Skills Academy is yet another example of how local people will benefit from the development.

“As well as new homes, our development at Meridian Water is building a vibrant local economy and I look forward to seeing the Skills Academy in action soon.”

Ray Toft, Managing Director at Countryside Partnerships London Developments, said: “True regeneration is about much more than just delivering new homes. Via our innovative Skills Academy, Meridian One is providing skills and training opportunities for the community, upskilling local people, which in turn supports the local economy.

“The Academy will also provide much-needed training on sustainable methods of construction. Such skills are crucial for the future success of our business and the sector as a whole.”

Robin Hindley, Vice Principal of CONEL, said: “CCCG is proud to be the official training provider for the Skills Academy, which will deliver a pipeline of skilled workers for the huge regeneration of Enfield on the Meridian Water site.

“We have many years’ experience at CONEL running construction courses and apprenticeships, which we will use to train thousands of local people in the construction trades and sustainable development, as well as giving them the employability skills they need to improve their job prospects.

“We are tremendously excited to be working with Enfield Council and Countryside Partnerships on this project, which will be a massive boost to the borough’s economy and create a better future for those living in Enfield.”

Find out more about the Enfield Construction Skills Academy and apply here.

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