BAM
Construction is to create facilities for Elutec, a new university technical
college for East London and Essex. The
contractor will refurbish and extend an existing building in Rainham, Essex,
for the UTC under a £4.5 million deal. Specialising
in engineering, manufacturing and design, the UTC will offer 14 to 19
year olds a technical education that meets the needs of modern employers. Sponsor
Ford Motor Company has facilities next to the UTC and uses another part of the
same building to train its apprentices in the Centre for Engineering and
Manufacturing Excellence. CEME is also a sponsor, along with University College
London and Prospects Learning Foundation. BAM
education framework manager Stephen McMeekin said: ‘This will be a very
impressive facility for pupils wishing to learn in a professional and practical
manner about engineering and manufacturing. ‘BAM
is delighted to continue to use its skills and experience to create much-needed
modern education facilities during a period of economic difficulty.’ Newly
appointed Elutec Principal Mrs Ruth Umerah said: ‘Elutec will be a fantastic
new education offering for young people who enjoy design, engineering and
technology. ‘The
designs for the extension to the existing facility are exciting and appropriate
for such a bright new UTC. It is fitting that the project will be
delivered by an organisation with current experience of UTCs.’ BAM
is due to start on site later this year, with the facility due to be open by October
2014. The
architect is Scott Brownrigg with BAM Design providing structural design and
QODA providing M&E design. BAM
won the right to negotiate the Elutec project when it secured the £9m Cambridge
UTC project in May. The
contractor has secured a number of education projects in the South East,
including Bucks UTC, Aylesbury Vale Academy, Berryfields Primary and Nursery
School, and Ark Primary in Middlesex.
