The Education Secretary and Sunderland MP Bridget Phillipson was back in her home city today to officially open Sunderland College’s new £20m Housing Innovation & Construction Skills Academy (HICSA).

Mrs Phillipson enjoyed a tour of the new state-of-the-art facility which will train the next generation of UK builders and engineers right here on Wearside.

The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education, officially opens Sunderland College’s new Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA). | sn

placeholder image — The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education, officially opens Sunderland College’s new Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA). | sn

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mrs Phillipson said: “HICSA is going to be an important part of our city’s future. We know how important investment in skills is to support the growth of the local economy and the lives of local people.

“This new academy will provide young people with opportunities that weren’t there before, making a difference to their lives and to our city and our region.

“I want to say a big thankyou to everyone who has made today possible, and creating these opportunities for this generation and for many generations to come.”

Education Secretary and Sunderland MP Bridget Phillipson enjoyed a tour around the new £20m facility. | SN

Mrs Phillipson also highlighted the new status of Sunderland as Technical Excellence College (TEC), one of just 10 across the country, enabling the college to benefit from a share of £100 million.

The new HICSA facility will help to train 40,000 future builders, bricklayers, electricians, carpenters and plumbers who will get the cutting edge skills to “get Britain building again”.

Mrs Phillipson said: “Technical excellence is what our country needs and I know our amazing colleges like Sunderland can provide this. I’d like to congratulate all of you who have helped to make HICSA a reality.”

Also at the official opening was the City Council’s CEO, Patrick Melia.

Mr Melia said: “HICSA is about focusing on skills and connecting people to jobs and connecting people to aspirations about how they live. As a city we really back the development of skills and the skills which are developed here are reflected in our city’s workplaces.

“When the development of the new Crownwork's Studios begins we are going to need joiners, electricians, scaffolders - skills that we can develop here at the college.

“I see the college as being important for connecting communities as well as connecting our young people to jobs - that’s very much what we are about as a city.”

Global roof window manufacturer VELUX has also teamed up with the college to open its own skills Academy within the HICSA site.

The official opening of HICSA was also attended by VELUX Vice President for Great Britain & Ireland, Alex O’dell.

Mr O’dell said: “Our vision is to empower the next generation with the skills and training needed to build healthy and resilient homes.

“The VELUX Training Academy is designed to support people at every stage, from apprenticeships to employment, and shows our commitment to well-being and sustainable building materials and practices.

“We are proud to partner with HICSA and Living Places Sunderland, helping to train the workforce to build the homes of tomorrow.

“The facilities at HICSA are outstanding and provide a first-class learning environment for people to develop new skills.”