CITB agrees sale of National Construction College Midlands to Walsall College

Walsall College will purchase CITB’s National Construction College (NCC) facility based at King’s Norton, Birmingham, on 30 November. 

The sale includes the land, buildings and business, with all 17 staff members being transferred over as employees of Walsall College.  

An experienced construction skills provider, Walsall College will look to further develop a comprehensive offer for apprentices and work-based leaners that takes them from basic to advanced skills training in sector specialisms including scaffolding and roofing.  

The sale of the college by CITB is part of its Vision 2020 programme. Reforms include handing over direct training to alternative providers who can offer a service at least as good as that which is currently in place. This allows CITB to focus on delivering improved skills outcomes for all construction employers across Great Britain.  

Braden Connolly, CITB Director of Products and Services, said: “Walsall College is an excellent Further Education provider with a strong track record and links to employers all over the region. This landmark agreement will secure a bright future for high quality construction training provision for industry in the Midlands, with commitments to maintain and develop existing training and with no redundancies from the sale. 

“It also marks the first of our four National Construction College facilities across the country to be sold to an alternative training provider, as part of our programme to reform CITB to better serve the sector for the future.” 

Jatinder Sharma, Walsall College’s Principal and Chief Executive, said: “This acquisition affords the college new opportunities for which we are ideally suited; delivering further skills training for the wider construction industry. It will utilise our expertise in key areas, while enabling us to increase the level and breadth of our provision.

“The centre will also introduce our students to other parts of the sector, enhancing their knowledge and progress.”

He added: “Construction and infrastructure are priority areas for growth in the West Midlands. The emphasis will be on extending our support for the region’s employers and their workforces; ensuring they have access to the right skills to accelerate the pace of our economic recovery through new builds and redevelopments.

“We look forward to working with employers across the area, ensuring a seamless transition from National Construction College to the Walsall College-owned Construction College Midlands.”

The National Construction Colleges remain open for business and are taking bookings both now and into 2021.