Contractor wins deal to build vocational college in Daventry

Daventry UTC

Shepherd Construction has been named preferred bidder to build a £8.5m university technical college (UTC) in Daventry, Northamptonshire.

The college is one of 34 UTCs offering a range of vocational and academic courses to 14-19 year olds being built in the UK.

Construction work is due to start in September, with completion expected by September 2013.

Once completed, the Northamptonshire UTC will offer courses specialising in sustainable construction, environmental sustainability and engineering.

The college is supported by a range of private sector employers, including local contractor SDC Construction.

On Monday the government approved 15 more UTCs, providing contractors with a much-needed pipeline of work.

Councillor Andrew Grant, Northamptonshire County Council cabinet member for children, learning and skills, said: “The delivery of this project is crucial to ensuring we have the right skills available in the county to support economic growth and on behalf of all the partner agencies, we’re very pleased to announce the Shepherd Construction consortium as the preferred bidders for this significant project.”

Peter Bates, programme director for Shepherd Construction, said: “We’re delighted to have been selected as the preferred bidder and we’re looking towards delivering facilities that will match the vision for the UTC by providing an ideal learning environment that will promote achievement, personal development and opportunities for progression.”