HICSA scoops awards hat-trick

A “flagship” £20 million North East education and skills hub has secured three regional awards in recognition of its role in regenerating a historic building and tackling construction skills shortages.

Sunderland’s Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA) claimed Project of the Year, Best Public Sector Project and Best Refurbishment/Revitalisation Project at the RICS North East Awards.

Developed through a partnership between Education Partnership North East and Sunderland City Council, HICSA has transformed a long-vacant Victorian railway goods shed in the Sheepfolds neighbourhood into a specialist training academy.

The project combines the restored heritage building with a purpose-built training facility, equipping learners with the skills needed to support the future of housebuilding, retrofit and modern methods of construction.

The triple success recognises the academy’s sensitive restoration of a key part of Sunderland’s industrial heritage while creating lasting social and economic value for the region.

Councillor James Jackson, cabinet member for business, housing and regeneration at Sunderland City Council, said: “Winning three RICS North East Awards, including the overall Project of the Year title, is an outstanding achievement and one that everyone involved in HICSA should be incredibly proud of.

“HICSA is much more than a building.  

“It represents a commitment to investing in people, creating opportunities and ensuring Sunderland has the skilled workforce needed to deliver the homes, infrastructure and developments of the future.  

“We’re very much committed to ensuring that communities across the city feel the impact of the regeneration the council is driving, and HICSA is a good example of a project that is creating opportunities for young people across Sunderland.”

HICSA, which forms part of the wider Riverside Sunderland regeneration programme, will now represent the North East at the national RICS Awards later this year, reinforcing its position as a flagship project for skills, regeneration and innovation.

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