Liverpool City Council has scooped an award for the positive impact its school building programme has had on the local economy.
The Liverpool Schools Investment Programme won for its work to create work opportunities, apprenticeships and maximise spending with local companies.
The prize was awarded at the annual North West Regional Construction Awards, held at the Titanic Hotel in the city.
The city council has almost completed 17 new and refurbished schools with a total cost of around £170 million using a mix of its own funding and money from the City Deal and the Department for Education.
In some cases, up to 90 percent of the sub-contracting work has gone to firms across Merseyside, supporting many local jobs and creating scores of apprenticeships.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “We were determined when we set up the schools investment programme that as much of the budget as possible be spent with local firms so that it is recycled through the local economy.
“It is fantastic news that the positive benefits have been recognised by the construction industry.”
Assistant Mayor and Cabinet member for education, employment and skills, Councillor Nick Small, said: “Our new schools are delivering a great education for our children and giving them the skills they need to go on and achieve their potential while also creating apprenticeships to give our young people a helping hand on to the employment ladder. It is a win-win for everyone.”
The newly opened Exhibition Centre Liverpool and Pullman Hotel also won an award for Project of the Year (Liverpool).
The schemes will now compete with other regions for the National Awards in London in autumn.
More information about the North West Regional Construction Awards can be found at http://www.constructionawardsnw.co.uk/index.html