Back to School for BAM COO as Scunthorpe’s £38 Million College Building Opens for Students
Back to School for BAM COO as Scunthorpe’s £38 Million College Building Opens for Students
Scunthorpe born John Wilkinson, Chief Operating Officer of BAM, has returned to his hometown to mark the opening of North Lindsey College’s brand new £38 million teaching building just as students prepare to step inside for the first time this September.
John Wilkinson, who began his career in construction as a trainee engineer, toured the building on the Kingsway Campus in early September, guided by local BAM apprentices and T-level students who helped deliver the project and are now embarking on their own careers in the industry.
Over the course of the project, BAM has created extensive opportunities for young people in the region including 18 apprenticeships. In addition, over 53 weeks of placements were offered to local T-levels students. The team also ran engagement events, giving 232 students the chance to take part in site visits and workshops whilst the new building was under construction.
As the construction sector looks ahead, the role of T-level students and apprentices has never been more crucial. Industry forecasts show that an additional 239,300 workers will be needed over the next five years to meet growing demand. By equipping young people with both technical knowledge and hands-on experience, T-level programmes and apprenticeships are vital to ensure the industry has the skilled workforce it needs to deliver projects such as that at North Lindsey into the future.
The three-storey development, delivered by BAM, one of the UK & Ireland’s largest civil engineering and construction companies, will become a central hub for learning and social activity in Scunthorpe, providing space for up to 1,400 students and staff. Designed with sustainability at its core and to be net zero in operation, the building features a central social space, alongside general and specialist classrooms, dining areas, a dedicated Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) facility, and an auditorium.
Students will also benefit from specialist purpose built classrooms, including commercial training kitchens and state-of-the-art science laboratories ensuring students are equipped with skills for the future.
John Wilkinson, Chief Operating Officer, BAM UK & Ireland said:
"It’s a real privilege to be back in Scunthorpe and to see first-hand the incredible new facilities that I could have only dreamed of as a student. As someone who started out in the industry as a trainee engineer, being shown round and hearing from local BAM T-level students and apprentices who worked on the project was very special.“Our industry is facing a shortfall of 239,300 workers, and it's critical that we invest in people at the earliest stages of their careers, equipping them with the skills and confidence to succeed. It’s also an opportunity to show them the incredible career journey that construction can offer. The students contribution to this brilliant building is proof of the value they bring to the industry today, and it’s clear they will play a vital role in shaping its future.”
Harvey Sellers BAM Apprentice, said:
"North Lindsey has been the second project I’ve worked on and has been a great experience. Being part of the team I’ve learnt so much from being on site and seeing how a big project like this comes together. Meeting John and seeing how someone who started out in a position, like myself, and is now COO of BAM is really inspiring. It shows how many opportunities there are in this industry”.
