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Crossfield begins work on £2.6m T-Levels project at Cardinal Newman College

Our Contractor Partner Crossfield Construction has begun work on a £2.6m scheme at Cardinal Newman College, Preston. The new space will allow the college to provide the new T Levels courses to the young people of the community.

Crossfield Construction is part of Crossfield Group, which has previously delivered education-sector projects at Bootle’s Hugh Baird College and the City of Liverpool College. Based in Liverpool, the Group was formed in 2012 from personnel all from tier one contractor backgrounds. Working across the North West, the Group employs more than 60 staff and has turned over in excess of £50m in 2019.

The new three-storey building, located on the corner of Princess Street and Carr Street close to the main college campus, will offer teaching and learning facilities for T Level qualifications in Education and Childcare and Digital. Work on the project is due to be completed in May 2021.

Crossfield will employ a degree apprentice from Cardinal Newman College, meaning that one successful candidate studying at Cardinal Newman will undertake a five-year apprenticeship with Crossfield, whilst also gaining a degree – the costs of which will be covered by the company.

David Cain, Managing Director of Crossfield Group, said: “We are very pleased to be involved in this project which will enable students at the College to get the hands-on learning experience that the new T-Levels are designed to offer.

“Importantly, it will also provide a boost to the local area and the city’s economy. We have committed to drawing our supply chain from a 30-mile radius, as well as working with the College to offer a degree apprenticeship, industrial placements and mentoring initiatives – benefitting many students.”

Cardinal Newman College in Preston City Centre is one of the highest-performing Sixth Form Colleges in Lancashire. Principal Nick Burnham from Cardinal Newman College says: “We are delighted to be working with Crossfield Construction and to be getting this exciting project underway. We think it will be a real boost for the local community and also offer a fantastic opportunity for students to study one of our T-Levels in state-of-the-art, purpose-built facilities.”

T Levels are two-year courses starting from September. They are equivalent to three A Levels and will provide students with a combination of classroom and ‘on-the-job’ experience, preparing students for work.

Robbie Blackhurst, Framework Director at Procure Partnerships Framework commented on the scheme: “We are proud to support Cardinal Newman College and pleased to see Crossfield Construction demonstrating their commitment to the local economy. Crossfield Construction has proven success in the education sector and Procure Partnerships Framework are happy to be supporting client and contractor through project delivery. We’re looking forward to seeing the new facilities take shape.”

The consultant team appointed includes Ellis Williams Architects, AJP Consulting Engineers, quantity surveyors Appleyard and Trew and property and construction consultants Ridge and Partners.