BAM Construction is to create facilities for Elutec, a new university technical college for East London and Essex.

The contractor will refurbish and extend an existing building in Rainham, Essex, for the UTC under a £4.5m deal.

Specialising in engineering, manufacturing and design, the UTC will offer 14 to 19 year olds a technical education that meets the needs of modern employers.

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Sponsor Ford Motor Company has facilities next to the UTC and uses another part of the same building to train its apprentices in the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence. CEME is also a sponsor, along with University College London and Prospects Learning Foundation.

BAM education framework manager Stephen McMeekin said: "This will be a very impressive facility for pupils wishing to learn in a professional and practical manner about engineering and manufacturing.

"BAM is delighted to continue to use its skills and experience to create much-needed modern education facilities during a period of economic difficulty."

BAM is due to start on site later this year, with the facility due to open by October 2014.

(CD/JP)