Construction nears completion on Runshaw’s £6.2m science and engineering facility

The construction of a new facility at Runshaw College’s Euxton Lane campus in Chorley is nearing completion.

The state-of-the-art facility, due for handover in March 2016, will host cutting edge laboratories and workshops, accommodating up to 400 new students across a wide range of engineering and science programmes.

Made a reality through £4.3m funding from the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the SEIC forms part of the LEP’s ‘Hub and Spoke’ programme, providing educational centres of excellence with new industry-focused facilities.

Dr Michele Lawty-Jones, Director, Lancashire Skills Hub, said: “The LEP has £30m overall to invest in creating hundreds of extra training and apprenticeship places for local young people across Lancashire.

“A highly skilled workforce is an essential part of the LEP’s ambitious multi-million pound strategic economic growth programme to grow the local economy significantly and create tens of thousands of new jobs.”

Principal, Simon Partington, believes the new centre will boost the local economy and transform the employability of those studying science and engineering programmes at Runshaw.

“The SEIC has been designed to support growth in these sectors and to enhance our current partnerships with local businesses. We aim to deliver real business benefits through the provision of innovative education and training programmes, working collaboratively with employers to ensure the creation of a highly skilled workforce for the future.”

The SEIC development has been supported by both Chorley Council and South Ribble Borough Council.

Coun Phil Smith, South Ribble Borough Council cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration and leisure, said: “It is fantastic to see the Science Engineering Innovation Centre near completion.

“South Ribble Borough Council are extremely proud to have supported this facility and it will prove crucial to the borough, especially with such strong automotive and aerospace roots which will continue to thrive and grow with the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal.

“The skills and trades which will be taught here will help them to become the future of South Ribble and Lancashire.”