Lindum has started work on the internal fit out of a new University Centre above the Savoy cinema in Grantham.
A site team from Lindum’s Peterborough office is carrying out the work for South Kesteven District Council.
Once complete, the 9,000 sq ft building will provide classrooms, breakout space and seminar rooms.
It will offer a range of short courses and diplomas delivered by the University of Lincoln, which are designed to meet the development needs of local businesses.
Cllr Kelham Cooke, Leader of South Kesteven District Council and Chairman of InvestSK, said: “A skilled workforce is fundamental to any thriving economy. Growing businesses need quick access to the right skills at the right time.
“South Kesteven District Council is pleased to be nurturing the development of the district’s talent pool through establishing University Centre SK.”
The centre is due to open in late spring but its first programme, “˜Developing a Managerial Mindset’, is fully subscribed and already underway at a nearby temporary venue.
Steve Bowyer, CEO at InvestSK, said: “Businesses keep telling us that access to skills is a top priority – both for local firms looking to grow and for companies considering moving to the district.
“We’ve been working in partnership with the University of Lincoln to develop a curriculum that meets the requirements of local companies and I’m delighted that the first management course is now underway.
“It’s important that we understand what skills are needed in the district, so I’d urge businesses who might be interested in enrolling their staff onto University Centre SK courses to get in touch so we can take their needs into account when developing future programmes”.
Lindum was chosen to carry out the building work through the Scape Regional Construction framework.
The framework provides the public sector with access to construction contractors who deliver high quality and cost effective services.
Lindum Peterborough commercial manager Steve Angus said: “We are very happy to be working with South Kesteven District Council on this innovative new development for Grantham.
“We are engaging with local suppliers and subcontractors to complete the work and, as part of our social value commitment, we will be looking to see how we can leave a lasting legacy for the community beyond completion of the construction.”
Julian Free, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, said: “The University of Lincoln is delighted to be working with South Kesteven District Council and InvestSK in this exciting project.
“The opportunity to work with the council and businesses to develop the right skills for the local economy is fundamental to the University’s mission and our commitment to be a truly civic university and to contribute to Lincolnshire’s future prosperity.
“The success of the Executive Development course we are currently delivering in Grantham demonstrates there is a demand for University level courses in the area. We look forward to working with partners to build on this positive start.”
The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership has provided £2 million of funding towards the construction and fit out costs of University Centre SK via the Government’s Growth Fund.
Ruth Carver, Chief Executive of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This project will be truly transformational for South Kesteven and its surrounding area, and we are very pleased that once completed the university centre will provide local businesses with the bespoke skills they require to enable growth and innovation.”
Minister for Local Growth, Rt Hon Jake Berry MP, said: “We are committed to boosting economic growth across the Midlands Engine and levelling up every place in the country.
“Thanks to £2 million of Government support from the Local Growth Fund, aspiring entrepreneurs in Grantham will have access to top of the range, locally-tailored training so that they can take their business to the next stage and unleash the full economic potential of the region.”
If you’d like to know more about the new courses being delivered at University Centre SK or to register your business’ interest in enrolling onto a programme, contact InvestSK on [email protected] or 01476 406374.
