Works progress on the latest IPI scheme at Dudley College of Technology
Photo: Express & Star
The latest addition to Dudley College of Technology’s campus is progressing well, despite the challenges of working within COVID-19 restrictions.
Set to open to students in September 2021, the Government has provided funding of £16.8 million to the College in order to develop the Institute of Technology (IOT), which is located off Castle Hill.
With more than 2,000 learners anticipated to be using the facility by 2025, IOT will focus on apprenticeships and offer courses in advanced manufacturing, modern construction methodologies and medical engineering, with the aim of retaining talent in the region and boosting the local economy.
Neil Thomas, principal and chief executive of Dudley College of Technology, one of the anchor partners behind the Black Country and Marches Institute of Technology (IoT), said: “The development of the £32.5million pound facility will continue to progress despite new national COVID-19 measures.
“Speller Metcalfe has adapted some of their health and safety practices in line with government guidance but this won’t stop work – as there is a huge appetite from all concerned, to keep the project on schedule.
“Opening the doors of this landmark new facility, which will create opportunities for both young people and adults, is something we can all look forward to next year.”
The institute is being built on a 4,750sq m plot on Castle Hill by the planned new Metro stop, the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre and the Black Country Living Museum, and is the second scheme that the College has procured using the innovative Integrated Project Insurance (IPI) model.
“It’s exciting to see the progression of the Institute of Technology, particularly as using the IPI model, the project team spent a significant amount of time developing the scheme before getting to site,” said Rob Lashford, regional director at Speller Metcalfe. “While we have had the challenges of COVID-19 to contend with, we have been working to strict health and safety measures, which have evolved in line with Government guidance, and we are confident we can deliver both this scheme and all of our other projects as safely as possible.”
IOT follows the College’s award-winning Advance II IPI project, which was described as a ‘game changer for construction’ by Constructing Excellence’s 2018 ‘Insurance Backed Alliancing‘ report, and, ‘the most innovative form of procurement’ promoted by the Government’s Construction Strategies 2011 and 2016 –2020.
Dudley College of Technology has assembled an Alliance Partnership between Speller Metcalfe, IPInitiatives, Derry Building Services, Fulcro Group, Cullinan Studio Architects, Cundall and GCA Consulting to collaboratively deliver their new multi-million pound Institute.
Speller Metcalfe has been responsible for the delivery of both of these schemes, alongside the UK’s third IPI project at Derby Silk Mill.