FE/HE NEWS
The Learning Foundry launches new home for built environment training in North West
Liverpool-based training provider, The Learning Foundry, has opened its second training site which will offer training in construction, green skills and housing management, for people aged 16+ across the Liverpool City Region and beyond.
Attended by Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the
Liverpool City Region and Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, the Skills Centre will specialise in creating opportunities for local people, giving them hands-on experience that will lead to a range of in-demand skills in the built environment sector.
The Liverpool City Region is experiencing a significant construction skills gap. With over £2 billion in new construction projects anticipated annually for the next five years, The Learning Foundry is proud to be supporting local people to gain the skills they need to change their lives, and the community in which they live.
With 35 years’ experience delivering quality training programmes, The Learning Foundry is well-placed to support local people to land sustainable work in in-demand sectors, from construction to housing or green skills. The Learning Foundry will use the Skills Centre to deliver programmes to people aged 16+ across the North West, including roperty Maintenance Operative
apprenticeships, specialist Skills Bootcamps in Green Skills and free feeder programmes for young people and adults living in the Liverpool City Region. As part of The Regenda Group, The Learning Foundry is uniquely positioned to provide high quality training to the sector. Benefitting from the support of the Group, its programmes have been guided by the expert knowledge and requirements of social housing provider, Regenda Homes and construction specialists M&Y, Maintenance and Construction, as well as eco and green skills experts, Ecogee.
The Learning Foundry’s Interim Managing Director, Terry Collier, says: “The launch of our Skills Centre is crucial for The Learning Foundry. Creating a designated home for built environment training is giving our communities the opportunity to access practical skills that employers are seeking in their recruitment processes. Working collaboratively with our partners across The Regenda Group enables The Learning Foundry to address skill gaps within the sector so our learners transition quickly and effectively into employees that have immediate impact in the workforce.”
Managing Director at M&Y Maintenance and Construction, Gill Kelly, says: “At M&Y Maintenance and Construction we’re not just building structures; we’re committed to building futures. It’s been a pleasure to support The Learning Foundry shape their programmes, we couldn’t ask for a better fit. Construction training programmes at The Learning Foundry offer two major advantages. Firstly, they offer a great opportunity to local people to gain the versatile and in-demand skills that they need to work in across the built environment sector. The second is that through collaboration, The Learning Foundry can address skill gaps within our sector, allowing learners to upskill and impact in the workforce.”
King’s College London partners with Better Green Living on accommodation refurb
Refurbishment specialist Better Green Living has unveiled the latest renovated student bedrooms at King’s College London’s Great Dover Street Apartments near London Bridge, marking the next stage of work in transforming the university’s residential offering.
As the principal renovation and special works provider, Better Green Living has transformed over 60 flats, 392 bedrooms and bathrooms, and 64 communal led kitchen spaces for the University to date.
This is the latest milestone in the 17-phase refurbishment project at the Great Dover Street apartments, which is expected to complete later this year.
Working collaboratively with King’s College London, Better Green Living consulted students at
the outset of the project in 2021 to understand their needs and wants for student accommodation and communal spaces.
The result is a scheme that blends architectural design, practicality of use, circular economy, and future maintenance considerations to create an inspirational study environment and modern space for students to socialise and relax.
The flats have been fully refurbished to the highest industry standards, featuring complete rewiring and updated plumbing, as well as custom- designed furniture and murals in the bedrooms. Since 2021, Better Green Living has extensively refurbished spaces at King’s College London Stamford Street apartments, to promote sustainability principles and student wellbeing. Better Green Living has implemented a zero-landfill policy to help reduce waste during the project, using strict circular economy principles such as recycling and repurposing
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materials, and ensuring the durability of products to avoid waste.
Charles Gallagher, Director of King’s Community Business Services, said: “At King’s Residences, we’re more than just a place to live – we’re a community where over 6,000 students each year come to grow, learn, and create lasting memories. Whether it’s navigating the challenges of independent living or celebrating milestones with friends, we’re here to support students every step of the way.
“Our partnership with Better Green Living reflects our commitment to creating vibrant, inclusive spaces that feel like home. These upgraded residences aren’t just about a roof over your head – they’re about fostering connections, building life skills, and creating an
environment where students can thrive during their time at King’s and well into their future.”
Tom Dodson, Chief Operations Officer at Better Green Living, said: “We are proud to have created over 360 design-led environments for students living across King’s College London and to unveil this latest phase of works. We work to cause minimal disruption for students and all our projects are thoughtfully curated with students’ well-being in mind, creating inviting communal spaces for connection and ensuring personal rooms provide a comfortable environment for their private time. “With 17 phases in total across King’s College London student accommodation, we have already completed 12 and have five phases remaining. We look forward to starting the next phase to create 165 even more modernised spaces for new cohorts of students joining the university in 2025.”
March 2025
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