As construction of Wirral Met College’s new campus gets closer to completion, plastering students Joshua Davidson and Jeffrey Beardsmore joined Principal Sue Higginson to help to bury a time capsule on the construction site.
Burying a time capsule is a momentous occasion as the campus at Wirral Waters becomes the historic first building in the heart of Mersey Waters Enterprise Zone, the largest and most visionary regeneration project in the UK, being led by Peel Land and Property Group. The time capsule, a purpose built container which should last decades, contains a wide range of information about life in 2015 including the college prospectus, a copy of both a local and national newspaper, leaflets from local tourist attractions including the Mersey ferries, the space centre and Port Sunlight Village. A comprehensive list also includes the costs of food and drink, cars, houses and even season tickets for each of the three local football teams.
The new campus building is now weather tight and internal works are progressing well. Internal walls and mechanical and electrical works are well advanced. Many rooms are taking their final form and painting and other finishes are progressing. Drainage works are complete and external hard landscaping is now underway. The quayside promenade is in place and many areas are ready for paving.
The good news linked to the campus continues, as Wirral Met’s students complete their work placements on the campus construction site and progress on to roles within the construction industry, supported by contractors, leading construction and infrastructure company, Morgan Sindall plc. Daniel Tiago, studying towards his level three BTEC Construction and the Built Environment Diploma, is in discussion with Morgan Sindall about a role in their civil engineering team. Alex Howe, studying on the Higher National Certificate (HNC) Construction and the Built Environment course, has been invited to apply for a place on the Morgan Sindall University Undergraduate Sponsorship scheme, to support him when he progresses to university next year. Richard Singleton, also studying on the Higher National Certificate (HNC) Construction and the Built Environment course, is progressing onto a second interview for the role as Trainee/Assistant Site Manager, whilst he continues to study at Wirral Met College next year.
Principal Sue Higginson said, “As I worked with the students to bury the time capsule, we realised the historical significance of Wirral Met’s new Wirral Waters Campus as the first new building to mark a UK Enterprise zone. That said, whilst buildings are important, it is our students that are the most important part of our College and the involvement of hundreds of construction students means they have played some part, at every step of the way. The fact that they have helped to carve out this part of our history is particularly impressive.“
The construction of the campus for Wirral Met College is on track for completion by the end of August 2015, so that the students will be starting term in September in their new campus. Wirral Met are developing a ‘pipeline of skills’ to provide employers investing in the region with a well trained workforce that will transform the Wirral Waterfront and improve the local economy. Take a look at the latest photos of the campus during its construction.