The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has given approval to £5 million funding for a Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy at Aldersbrook Sidings, Ilford, in the London Boroughs of Redbridge and Newham.

The facility is being developed by Crossrail, Europe's largest transport infrastructure project.

The estimated benefit of Crossrail to the UK economy is at least £36 billion. It will employ over 14,000 people of which 3,500 will be directly linked to the tunnelling and underground construction environment.

This employer-led project is fully supported by the industry through Construction Skills, the British Tunnelling Society and Tunnel Skills who recognise that the Academy will provide the right environment to deliver skills essential to the sector.

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The Academy will raise standards within the industry and lead to the development of innovative courses and new frameworks for Apprenticeships and other qualifications to address the skills shortage faced by the sector. It will provide training for up to 1,000 learners a year catering for all types of tunnelling, and will be part of the broader economic legacy and regeneration of east London, as it sits alongside the Olympic Village and Park.

The facility will meet the skills needs not only of Crossrail but also National Grid, London Underground, Thames Water, and EDF, among others. It will be able to address the needs of major developments in the UK and across Europe, thus securing the longer term sustainability of the Academy and enabling the UK to become a world leader in a modernising industry.

Terry Morgan, Chairman of Crossrail said: "We are delighted to receive £5 million in funding from the LSC. This is great news for the project and great news for the tunnelling and underground construction industry. This decision means we can now progress our plans to build this fantastic training facility, which the industry so urgently needs."

(CD/BMcc)