Energy HQ oil and gas college moves closer
Blackpool & the Fylde College has published the contract notice seeking bids to build the £6m Lancashire Energy HQ training facility for onshore oil and gas employers funded by government and industry partners including Centrica Energy and Cuadrilla.
The college was awarded £6.2m from the government-funded Lancashire Growth Deal last July, with a further £7.8m provisionally secured from other sources including the college for later phases of energy-related expansion.
The new centre will be built on a car park site off Yeadon Way in Blackpool. Through Energy HQ, the college will offer courses designed by the energy industry to create the next generation of engineers. The national college is supported by trade body UK Onshore Oil & Gas and the University of Chester.
The two-storey building will contain workshops, classrooms, a café and double-height atrium.
The budget range for the construction is from £4.5m to £6m.
Construction is due to start in September 2015 and complete by December 2016.
The deadline for expressions of interest is 20 March.