Industry training provider ConstructionSkills hopes to come to an arrangement with London authorities to train students on Olympics and Thames Gateway brownfield sites.

The proposals emerged as part of plans for the National Construction College, which was denied permission to expand last year. Rather than re-tendering expansion plans, the training body now wants to open regional specialist branches, which would include the London scheme.

Peter Lobban, chief executive of ConstructionSkills, said: “As contractors move onto a site and dig up the land we would use that as a practice plot.”

The board is expected to meet next month to discuss the proposals before approaching London authorities.