Laing O’Rourke has opened what is claimed to be the “UK’s first” dedicated modern methods of construction (MMC) training facility.
The first-of-its-kind hub, part-funded by the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF), will provide the technical and digital skills required to assemble construction and engineering solutions manufactured off site.
It will be the first purpose-built facility to offer a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Construction Assembly installation, approved by The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) in 2019.
Trainee Assembly Specialists will have access to equipment and skills needed to work with large-scale modular components used to deliver sections of infrastructure and construction projects.
“No other UK facility currently offers this bespoke off-site training, which is key to building faster, safer, and more efficiently,” said Laing O’Rourke.
The UK construction sector currently requires more than 250,000 additional workers by 2028, to deliver the anticipated workload.
To meet demand, Laing O’Rourke wants to speed up adopting in-house manufacturing (off-site) and assembly (on-site) approaches to enhance productivity, safety, and environmental performance.
It added this new qualification could help bridge the gap between new talent and more experienced workers.
The training facility will develop digital and technical skills among Laing O’Rourke’s 4,500 directly employed workforce, increasing its ability to deploy a manufacturing-led approach to construction and deliver certainty for clients.
The Modern Methods of Construction Training Centre – in collaboration with Barnsley College and T3 Training & Development – will see the first cohort of apprentices begin in the new year.
“Only through the wider use of digital technologies and modern methods of construction can we transform productivity and create better work and careers for people,” said Peter Lyons, Laing O’Rourke director.
“It’s a change we need to make to ensure we can deliver the essential infrastructure the country needs, and which underpins our quality of life.”
He added: “We would like to extend a huge thank you to Select Plant Hire, Explore Plant and Transport Solutions, Expanded, Explore Manufacturing, Crown House Technologies, Cemex and Patera Engineering Ltd for their help and support in the planning and construction of this new facility, they have been integral to the success of the project.”
Laing O’Rourke recently posted a return to profit, in which revenue for the year ended 31 March 2024 grew 18.2 per cent to £4 billion (FY2023 £3.3 billion), generating a pre-tax profit £18.1 million (FY2023: -£288.1 million).
The group generated net cash of £278.5 million and grew its orderbook to the largest it has been – £10.8 billion.
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