Students get inside look at Pioneer Place

Burnley College and Themis students working towards careers in construction have been given an inside look at the £23m Pioneer Place development.

Burnley Council’s development partner Maple Grove Developments is currently building the complex, which will include a seven-screen REEL cinema, five retail and leisure units and a 226-space car park.

To support young people in the town, the company has recruited Themis apprentices to the project, and given Burnley College students regular access on-site to gain knowledge about how developments of this size progress.

Recently, students on vocational and T-Level construction programmes were taken round the site by Peter Harrison, project manager for Pioneer Place. The visit enables students to put health and safety into context, see the various boarding techniques used, as well as get a closer look at the steelwork and subfloor.

Peter said: "It’s really important for us to work with young people and the local community in Burnley as this project is important to them and getting outside of a classroom to see real-life examples of projects of this size is fantastic experience.

“It’s been great working with Burnley College and the students, and we have several more visits arranged for those studying subjects including joinery and tiling. Along with our partners, such as Smith Love Planning Consultants, AEW Architects and Booth King Structural Engineers, we’ve also gone into college to present on topics such as the role of planning in shaping the design and the survey work and site preparation."

It is estimated the construction of Pioneer Place will support around 180 jobs, with a further 100-plus new jobs being created in the cinema and supporting food outlets.

Coun Mark Townsend, Burnley Council's executive member for economy and growth, said: "It's fantastic that young people are getting this opportunity to learn new skills on an active building site and help create this exciting new development.

"When they go to the cinema they can tell their friends 'I helped build this.' How great is that?"