The local authority wants to become a centre of excellence in eco-homes. Credit: SCC

HICSA reaches milestone

The £15m Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy has been officially declared watertight, with fit-out works now able to commence.

Part of the Riverside Sunderland project, work on the academy started in December 2023 and it is expected to open in the summer.

Led by Sunderland City Council, managed by Sunderland College, and constructed by Brims Construction, the education hub will train students in building and upgrading homes using modern construction methods, low-carbon materials, smart technology, and renewable energy.

The project team also consisted of Layer.Studio as landscape architect and Mawson Kerr as architect.

Funded by the government, HICSA is located in Sheepfolds.

Cllr Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “The academy will not only create opportunities for local people but will also position Sunderland as a centre of excellence for construction, providing the UK with the skilled workforce required to help tackle the nation’s housing shortage.

“Alongside Maker and Faber, Vaux Housing, Culture House, and the Eye Hospital, all of which are under construction nearby, it is yet another world-class facility rising from the ground at Riverside Sunderland, helping us deliver a more prosperous and successful Sunderland for generations to come.”

Toni Rhodes, deputy chief executive of Education Partnership North East, said: “HICSA will provide our students with immersive, industry-standard training in the latest construction skills and techniques and we can’t wait to welcome our first cohort in September.”

Jason Wood, director at Brims, said: “Progress on site continues to change on a daily basis due to the dedication and hard work of our project team and specialist subcontractors, as there are presently more than 100 local people working on the project on a daily basis.”

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