Liverpool firm Crossfield Construction to build £2.5m Digital Academy

Building firm Crossfield Construction has secured a £2.5m contract to build a new Digital Academy for the City of Liverpool College.

The Merseyside-based company will overhaul and expand existing space within the college’s Arts Centre and repurpose two floors of its Myrtle Street campus.

The facilities are being re-designed and equipped with the latest digital technology and software, ready for students to learn about coding, software development, games design, online marketing and a range of other digital skills.

Opening this September 2017, the college said the Digital Academy will be the first ever launched in the UK.

City of Liverpool College has forecast student numbers in its School of Computer Science and Digital to grow from their current level of 300 to up to 500.

Crossfield Construction director David Cain said: “We are delighted to have been appointed as Construction Partner for The City of Liverpool College’s Digital Academy.

“We recognise the significance of this project in supporting the digital skills in an area of growth across the region and believe our innovative, energetic approach will be a fantastic fit with the college and its aspirations.”

He continued: “We are equally excited about our engagement plan that we are implementing with the College which will provide work placements, site visits and guest talks to students using our project as a learning tool – whilst also ensuring we employ a full supply chain from the Liverpool City Region.”

City of Liverpool College principal Elaine Bowker commented: “This investment means we will be better equipped than ever to deliver a pipeline of young people with the kind of skills which are essential for businesses in the 21st century.

“It is a signal of our focus on providing skills and qualifications which meet the needs of businesses and which directly contribute to the City region’s economic growth ambitions.”

Part of the project’s overall funding will come from the Liverpool City Region Skills Capital Investment Fund, part of the Government’s Local Growth Fund.

The Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) secured £232m in 2014 from the first round of Local Growth Fund cash from the Government. Of that figure, £41m is ring-fenced for skills funding.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the City Region, said: “I am delighted that work on this vitally important facility is moving ahead.

“We have enormous opportunities to thrive and compete in this sector, but that will depend on developing the skills, potential and creativity of our young people. This is an integral part of the jigsaw for a successful digital economy for the future.”

Liverpool LEP chair Asif Hamid commented: “The digital sector is a significant priority for the City Region, and this funding secured through the Growth Deal to establish a Digital Academy for the City Region will enable us to grow our digital talent pool and help our young people develop the right skills and experience for the future.”

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s portfolio lead for Employment and Skills, Cllr Ian Maher, said: “The funding from the City Region’s Growth Deal will ensure we are better positioned to attract investment and ensure long-term growth and prosperity.

“Improving skills is a clear priority for the Combined Authority and I’m delighted to see this investment in digital learning, particularly as skills in these areas will play a critical role in future economic growth.”

Crossfield Construction is based in Brunswick Dock, near the city centre. Founded in 2012, the company delivers build projects across the residential, education, health, industrial, commercial and retail sectors.