Lancashire & Cumbria IoT Construction Skills Day Inspires Future Workforce at Preston College
Preston College proudly hosted the Lancashire & Cumbria Institute of Technology (IoT) Construction Skills Day on Friday 24 April, welcoming T Level Construction students from Preston College and East Lancashire Learning Group (ELLG) for an inspiring, industry-focused experience.
The event provided students with a valuable first-hand insight into how the IoT partnership is addressing the regional construction skills gap, equipping the future workforce with the technical expertise, professional behaviours, and industry knowledge that employers are actively seeking.
Students began the day with an exclusive tour of Preston College’s industry-leading Construction Skills Centre, followed by an overview of the Lancashire & Cumbria IoT collaboration. This session highlighted the range of courses available across the region and the diverse construction career pathways open to students within the industry.
At the heart of the day was an immersive real-world construction challenge. Working in teams, students were tasked with designing and proposing a new campus development, applying their skills within a realistic project brief and budget of £150,000-£200,000.
Taking on key industry roles, including project manager, architect, surveyor, commercial lead, and sustainability lead, students experienced the collaborative nature of modern construction projects.
Following the early stages of the RIBA Plan of Work, teams progressed through site analysis, project briefing, and concept design, developing ideas that are grounded in real industry practice.
A highlight of the event was a practical site visit and surveying activity at the college’s on-site amphitheatre. Here, students carried out measurements, assessed the space, and identified constraints and opportunities, mirroring real industry practices.
Building on their findings, each team:
- Developed a concept design
- Completed a costing exercise
- Produced a plan of work
- Created an enterprise or community-focused idea linked to their project
The day culminated in team presentation, with students delivering a professional three‑minute pitches to a panel of industry judges, who provided valuable feedback on their proposals, teamwork, and communication skills.
Simon Book, 14-19 Curriculum Leader for Construction and the Sustainable Built Environment, at Preston College said:
“It was fantastic to see students fully engaged in a real-world construction challenge. Events like this showcase the strength of the Lancashire & Cumbria IoT partnership and how we are working together to develop industry-ready skills that employers are actively looking for.”
The winning team, Chloe, Amelia, Kuba, Harvey, and Reece, impressed the judges with their proposal to develop a gazebo-style café and social space on an unused brownfield site . Their design focused on creating a functional area for students and staff while generating income through café operations.
The project stood out due to its clear roles, practical use of the site, and a well-considered cost plan of approximately £94,000–£100,000.
As a founding member of the Lancashire & Cumbria IoT, Preston College is committed to working with regional partners and employers to develop the skills needed for the future workforce and support progression into high-quality careers.
Congratulations to all the students who took part in the event, and especially to the winning team!
To find out more about construction courses and opportunities available through Preston College and the Lancashire & Cumbria IoT, please visit: https://bit.ly/3OuV6gY
