Partnership is helping to build the next generation of skilled construction workers for Bath

January 28, 2025
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Bath-headquartered housing association Curo, Bath College and the University of Bath have teamed up to address the city’s critical shortage of skilled construction workers.

The three are partnering on employment and training opportunities in a bid to develop a local workforce for major building projects. 

The move comes against a background of skilled labour shortages in a number of key sectors across the UK, with construction now the second-worst affected.

Curo's employability service Work Wise links local people with training and employment opportunities such as those at its flagship 700-home Mulberry Park development on Bath’s southern outskirts.

The project has already created 164 jobs with training, supported 32 apprenticeships and generated just under 400 work placements in the local community since outline planning permission was granted nine years ago.

Students from the University of Bath’s civil engineering courses and Bath College’s construction programme have visited Mulberry Park over the past few months to learn more about construction and design.

The visit provided them with valuable insights into a live construction site, showcasing modern building methods and innovative design principles that define the development. 

During their tour, the students observed progress on Mulberry Park second phase, which builds on the scheme’s existing amenities with a new primary school and community centre and in future will include shops and other facilities.

Mulberry Park senior site manager Alan Mapston said: “It’s been fantastic to welcome Bath College and the university back for another visit.

“Seeing their enthusiasm for construction and architecture in action is always inspiring and it’s rewarding to share our journey as Mulberry Park continues to grow.

“We’re proud to support future professionals in their learning and look forward to seeing their contributions to the industry.”

University of Bath Department Of Architecture And Civil Engineering director of studies, Gavin Knowles, added: “We are always looking for interesting civil engineering projects in the local area and the Curo team at Mulberry Park have been so accommodating in showing our students around the site with so much enthusiasm.

“A live construction site is such a valuable teaching tool and shows our future engineers how building designs go together both physically and logistically. We have really valued this continued partnership.”      

Bath College employability and engagement officer Karen Simmons said visiting a live site and talking to experienced people already working in construction really helped to bring the learning to life and inspire students on their future career journeys.

“It’s a valuable asset to our courses and we are very grateful to be working with Curo,” she added.

Curo manages 14,000 homes across the South West and builds hundreds of new homes every year.

Pictured, top: Bath College trainees with Curo head of construction Paul Fackrell

Centre: University of Bath students and lecturer Gavin Knowles in front of the latest phase of Curo’s flagship 700-home Mulberry Park development

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