National Construction Academy faces closure in Liverpool

A construction training centre in Liverpool has warned staff it may be forced to close later this month.

The National Construction Academy currently trains around 80 apprentices a year. It also has training centres in Newcastle, Nottingham and Leicester.

Colin Stott, director of the National Construction Academy, told the Liverpool Echo: “The North-west was particularly hit by public spending cuts and recent forecasts show the construction industry will see a slow recovery through to 2016.

“It is for this reason that we have had no option but to enter into consultation with staff regarding the proposed closure of our construction academy in Aintree.

“This was an extremely difficult decision and follows three years of hard work trying to make the centre work for the benefit of our staff, learners and the community.”

The organisation said it was hoping young people currently in training at the centre would be found places on courses run by other providers.

Local MP Steve Rotheram described the news as “worrying” and said he would look into ways of rescuing the Waring Road site.