Jobs and sustainability welcomed in Sunderland following £20m housing innovation commitment

Sunderland has welcomed a £20m commitment announced in the Autumn Budget supporting the delivery of a housing innovation training facility.

Sunderland City Council, Education Partnership North East and the Ministry of Building Innovation and Education (MOBIE) have secured funding from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) for the development of a Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA).

The facility will educate, train, and upskill local people to create factory-built, sustainable, new homes, at Riverside Sunderland.

In total, £9m will support the HICSA, with the remaining LUF support assisting the development of new sustainable communities in Sunniside and on Riverside Sunderland.

Cllr Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “This is a leap forward in terms of our ambitious plans to place Sunderland at the heart of the UK’s net zero agenda, creating opportunities for young people to train in modern construction techniques.”

“We now have an opportunity to be a global leader when it comes to modern methods of construction (MMC), in the same way we have become internationally renowned for the manufacturing of cars.

“This is another step forward in Sunderland’s green revolution and I am pleased the Government has recognised the undeniable benefits this ambitious plan – led by Sunderland City Council, Sunderland College and MOBIE – has brought to them.”

Ellen Thinnesen, chief executive of EPNE, which comprises Sunderland College, said: “This is about future-proofing our young people – ensuring that they have the skills that will power the economy of tomorrow and we’re thrilled to be able to advance this important agenda and play a part in building a green future for Sunderland.”