Work begins on construction teaching centre

The factory unit in Langley Moor will be turned into a teaching centre

Work has started on a £1.7m project to transform a factory unit into a "construction centre of excellence".

New College Durham will create a specialist teaching facility for trade subjects at the site in Langley Moor.

The building, at the Littleburn Industrial Estate, includes teaching rooms, changing facilities and a workshop, and is expected to be ready for use from September.

It will initially be used by bricklaying students, with house building maintenance and painting and decorating lessons added later.

Principal and CEO of New College Durham Andy Broadbent said: "We’re excited to be able to provide another new fantastic teaching space for our students."

Esh Construction said it had started work on the Promotion House facility, after completing the college's T.H.E Hub (Technical and Higher Education Hub) in September 2023.

It will also provide employability and careers sessions at the site.

The college said it was funding the project from its reserves, but was planning to offset elements of the cost with Department for Education capital grants where appropriate.