Last updated at 15:48, Friday, 17 August 2012

A construction company is helping to create a new £7 million skills training centre for 600 students.

R H Irving Construction in Longtown has won the valuable groundwork contract connected to the scheme.

It is for the new Constructions Skills Training Centre being built at Lakes College, Lillyhall, Workington, as part of the Britain’s Energy Coast programme. (BEC)

The centre, due to open next spring, will see youngsters taught traditional trades like electrics, plumbing, brickwork, joinery and painting and decorating, alongside next generation renewable energy courses.

R H Irving, which has 15 staff, will put in the substructure such as drainage, flooring, roads and car parking. The rest of the centre is being built by Esh Build, the specialist construction arm of Durham-based Esh Group.

The contract is a major boost to R H Irving based at the Borders Business Park, Longtown.

Managing director Hylton Irving, said: “Over the last few years our contracts have become much more diverse, yet we have always maintained our core groundworks business in Cumbria.

“We’re delighted to be working with Esh Build once again on this important new project which will help to maintain high standards throughout the construction industry for future generations.”

Mark Wilkinson, Esh Group’s north west operations manager, said: “When Esh Group opened offices in Cumbria two years ago, we promised we would deliver our culture of working with locally based businesses. This contract with RH Irving reinforces that commitment.”

The centre is funded by Britain’s Energy Coast in partnership with Nuclear Management Partners (£4m), Britain’s Energy Coast Campus (£2m) and Lakes College (£1m on fitting the building). It is being project managed by Cumbria County Council and once completed will be operated by Lakes College.

Britain’s Energy Coast is seeking a new chief executive on a salary of £70,000-£80,000 a year.

The incumbent would replace interim chief executive Tom Gilroy, who was seconded to the role from Sellafield.

First published at 14:09, Friday, 17 August 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk