BARNSLEY College officially opened a first-of-its-kind training facility to create a highly-skilled workforce in the heart of the town.

Laing O’Rourke is the UK’s largest privately-owned engineering and construction company and delivers state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK.

The firm, working alongside the college and T3 Training and Development, opened the UK’s first dedicated modern methods of construction (MMC) training facility at Honeywell last week.

College bosses say the centre represents a ‘groundbreaking step’ in addressing the country’s construction skills shortage.

The new facility, part-funded by the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF), will provide people with the technical and digital skills required to assemble construction and engineering solutions that have been manufactured offsite.

David Akeroyd, principal and chief executive at the college, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Laing O’Rourke and T3 Training and Development to create the UK’s very first centre of its type.

“This facility will no doubt equip students with the expertise needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving construction sector, lead the way on more sustainable methods of construction, and ensure they are prepared for the ambitious demands of the modern workforce.

“Through this collaboration, we are proud to play a vital role in addressing skills shortages and supporting the development of a highly skilled, future-ready workforce for the local region and beyond.”

Peter Lyons, Laing O’Rourke’s director, added: “We are proud and excited to launch this first-of-a-kind training facility with Barnsley College and T3 Training and Development, and to have created a training course that will help accelerate change across our sector.

“Not only will it enhance the skills of our current directly employed workforce, but it will also attract a more diverse range of people to consider a career in construction. “