Electricity North West opens training academy
Electricity North West has opened a £2m training academy for technicians and engineers at Whitebirk in East Lancashire.
The 20,500 sq ft academy includes five workshops, classrooms, offices and associated amenity spaces, including outdoor training facilities.
Electricity North West owns, operates and maintains the North West's electricity distribution network, connecting 2.4 million properties, and more than 5 million people in the region to the National Grid. It funds specific electrical qualifications as well as vocational on-the-job training.
Alongside courses for school leavers, the power operator also offers training programs accredited by the Institute of Engineering & Technology which cater for both A-level students and graduates who are looking for careers in the energy industry.
The academy is designed to complement Electricity North West's strategy for a sustainable future by minimising energy demands and maintaining a low carbon footprint.
The architect for the academy was Ross Erwin at Corstorphine and Wright; John Turner Construction was contractor; David Cooper of Thomasons was structural engineer; James Alderson of EC Harris was project manager and Ian Cruse at Cruse Management Services was quantity surveyor.
UPDATE: Adds link to time-lapse film of construction
By Ed
Quite like this bunch. They disconnected power to a cannabis farm in a disused pub near us quite snappily…bloody spoilsports…
By Spark