ONE OF Lancashire's biggest construction firms has been appointed by the Department of Education to build new facilities in the North West.

Eric Wright Group, which works across Lancashire, is set to begin work next week on a new technical workshop, sports pitch and pavilion for Energy Coast University Technical College on Lillyhall Industrial Estate in Workington, Cumbria.

The site provides academic, practical and technical education for pupils aged 14-19.

Eric Wright Construction director James Eager said: “The college, which was originally built by Eric Wright Construction back in 2013, is providing much-needed education and training for young people in Cumbria in collaboration with local employers and we’re excited to be helping them develop their exceptional facilities even further.

"As part of our commitment to the scheme, we have already engaged with the students during the design development stage.

"We will also be providing a live learning environment for some of the students so they can join our construction teams on site and put into practice some of the theory they have studied at the college."

He added: "We have successfully delivered a considerable number of education facilities through the Department of Education low value framework and it is always great to see how the students and staff engage with the team while we are on site through live learning opportunities.”

The plans include the construction of new engineering workshops and support spaces as well as the reconfiguration of existing spaces to provide construction workshops, support spaces, external work bays, a replacement sports pitch including a changing pavilion on a new site and a new pedestrian crossing to connect the college’s two sites.

The Energy Coast UTC Principal Cherry Tingle said: "These new facilities will really take the student experience to the next level and we are excited to see Eric Wright’s team start on site.

"Their bid submission was really strong on social value and they had some great ideas about how the students could join in and learn in real time while the work is taking place.”

"We desperately need people with skills in engineering and civil engineering, as well as an excellent academic education, and we now have something really great to look forward to."