Engineering & Technology Centre

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Capital project to upgrade the engineering and technology centre at Leicester College.

CLIENT: Leicester College
ARCHITECT: Moss Architecture Interiors Ltd
PROGRAMME: 27 weeks
VALUE: £2.4 million

The existing motor vehicle engineering workshop at Leicester College was no longer fit for purpose and required a fit upgrade to meet the needs of its students.

The redevelopment of the engineering and technology facility on the Abbey Park Campus in Leicester city centre will provide students with updated learning facilities, to support the delivery of engineering T levels and other types of engineering qualifications.

Competitively tendered on the open market, we delivered this project, which was led by Moss Architecture, for the college. A multidisciplinary design team worked in close collaboration to install new and upgrade existing infrastructure to new industry standard laboratories that will be used to teach students across specialist engineering disciplines, including electrical engineering, electronic engineering, pneumatic and hydraulics, programmable logic controllers (PLC) and robotics.

A new mechanical engineering workshop was constructed to accommodate industry-standard standard lathes and milling machines. Additionally, a specialist hand skills development and projects area, welding booths and a state-of-the-art grinding room have been integrated to enhance the hands-on learning experience.

Collaborative working

This is the third project for Leicester College, demonstrating Stepnell’s commitment to building lasting public sector client relations. Moss Architecture also worked closely with us on the Wood Trades Block and Motor Vehicle Engineering Workshop. This collaborative approach has enabled the team to understand the college’s needs to provide the best learning experience in the long term while minimising the disruption to the teaching experience during a live build.

This project supports the introduction of engineering T Level qualifications at Leicester College, with the Department for Education having provided more than £1 million towards the project cost from T-level capital grant funding.

The college aims to help meet the skills demand at higher technical levels regionally and nationally and provide a valid pathway to higher technical qualifications. It aims to support the forecasted 1.2% growth in engineering and electronic engineering occupations available in Leicestershire and Rutland by 2030.

“Site team is always happy and friendly.  Understand that it is a live environment.  Really impressed with them. Regular meetings held which are evidence driven.” Debi Donnarumma, Vice Principal, Leicester College

Social value achievements

Leicester is an ambitious city with a reputation for delivering economic growth and sustainable development. The Council focuses on securing social value outcomes where most benefit can be achieved. Stepnell’s approach to social value reinforces these ambitions through our work in the community.

We are proud that this project will deliver more than £650,000 social and economic value into the local Leicester economy.

Key achievements included:

  • Work placement for student studying BSc Construction Management
  • Apprentice groundworker studying for a Level 2 Groundworking qualification
  • Leicestershire Cares Employability Day for Violence Intervention Project – 5 hours of mock interviews, facilitated workshop re personal branding and speed networking.
  • Five employability workshops to students at Leicester College
  • Environmental Support – A team of volunteers created a woodchip path in Aylestone Meadows with Leicester Parks Environment Rangers.