14TH JAN 2025
Gloucestershire College's construction school gains support of local industry expert
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Harris as ‘Associate Construction Lead’ to work on the ‘Construction Management’ curriculum at our Cheltenham campus.
Those in the construction industry will recognise Kevin as a highly respected leader, with a long and distinguished career in construction, including his current role as CEO of Constructing Excellence South West and his proven track record of business success.
Vice Principal and Chief Finance Officer Andy Bates commented, “We’re privileged and excited to welcome Kevin on board at our college. His wealth of knowledge and experience will be a tremendous asset to our students, staff and companies we work with.”
Amie Nutbrown, Head of School, will now oversee the ‘Construction Management’ courses and Gary Henderson will continue to oversee the ‘Construction Trade’ curriculum - including multi-skills, plumbing, groundwork, electrical installation, carpentry and dry lining.
Kevin starts in January and will work closely with Amie, Gary and the teaching team.
Kevin shared, "I'm delighted to join Gloucestershire College in shaping the future of the construction industry. Together, we'll address the urgent need for skilled professionals in our region, equipping students with the expertise to drive progress in sustainable building practices, such as modern methods of construction. By focusing on net-zero carbon technologies, we're building careers and contributing to a greener future that prioritises environmental responsibility for our communities."
The ‘Construction Management’ courses enable local companies to train apprentices and upskill staff with skills in construction design, surveying, planning and the built environment, including green skills.
Jonathan White, Director at Quattro Design and who has had many apprentices train at the college shared,
“I was delighted to learn the news about Kevin joining Gloucestershire College this year. This relationship will work well to enhance expertise and vision to strengthen its focus on construction skills development. Working collaboratively with students, faculty, and industry partners to increase educational opportunities and align training with the needs of the construction sector. Kevin and the college will continue to inspire the next generation of skilled professionals and support the region's growing demand for talent in construction.”
As a college we have been delivering construction training and working with local companies for several decades. Teaching students at Cheltenham, Gloucester and Forest of Dean campuses to build our future local landscape sustainably.
Students learn from our college’s experienced staff, within state-of-the-art facilities, whilst gaining industry experience themselves with a local company. They successfully graduate with Diplomas, T-levels, HTQs and University level qualifications.
Due to demand we opened a new sustainable purpose-built centre at Cheltenham campus last September. We were supported in a bid for Department for Education (DfE) funding by Cheltenham Borough Council, who helped us secure £4 million from the DfE.
As a team, we’re playing a pivotal role in addressing the increasing demand for skilled construction workers and green skills in the region. Which is projected to reach 6,400 annually by 2025 and coinciding with the industry's shift towards net-zero carbon technologies in construction.
We are leading the way in bridging the gap between skilled workers and the county’s demand in the construction industry.
To learn more about our construction courses go to the construction department page.
To read our news about the new construction centre visit Cheltenham Construction Centre Opening | Gloucestershire College
