Liverpool firms can bid for a slice of millions of pounds of work as part of the Mayor’s school rebuilding programme.
A ‘Getting Connected’ event is being held at Liverpool Town Hall on Wednesday 12 June where organisations can meet with representatives from construction firms Kier, Morgan Sindall and Willmott Dixon to talk about how they can become part of the supply chain.
A total of 12 schools are being rebuilt under the Mayor’s Investment Plan for Secondary Schools – devised as a rescue package following the scrapping of Wave Six of Liverpool’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project.
The city council is committed to making sure that as much of the money as possible goes to local firms, to boost employment and training opportunities for local people. Hundreds of apprenticeships are being created.
At Notre Dame Catholic College – which opens in September – 60 percent of the sub contractor spending has been with Liverpool companies. This includes A&B Engineering in Old Swan who won contracts totaling almost £4 million for mechanical and engineering work.
The event comes as work is about to get underway on the new £17 million Archbishop Beck Sports College in Fazakerley and the £18 million St John Bosco Catholic College in Croxteth.
Mayor Joe Anderson said: “We’re making the most of every pound of spending on our new schools by ensuring that it is not just pupils who benefit – it’s local firms and their workforce as well.
“These are tough times for businesses and it is crucial that we make sure that money secured by Liverpool is spent in Liverpool.”
Councillor Jane Corbett, Cabinet member for education, said: “This is part of our ambition to make sure that new schools are closely tied to the city’s regeneration and help build stronger communities, so that they are literally made in Liverpool.”
At the Town Hall event, officials from the city council and contractors will explain more about how companies can become part of the supply chain for the new schools.
Also present will be staff from ‘Liverpool in Work’ to provide advice and guidance about recruitment, skills and training and the local jobs market.
Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet member for enterprise, employment and skills, said: “This is boosting employment in Liverpool and giving young people the chance to get vital skills and training.”
Companies wanting to attend the event can book an appointment by calling Juliet McKain or Mike Meaney on 0151 233 4038 or email liverpool.apprenticeship@liverpool.gov.uk
