Isle of Wight – CECAMM
Introduction
The Isle of Wight College has secured approval to a £11 million bid to develop a new 3,000m2 Centre of Excellence for Composites, Marine and Advanced Manufacturing from the Solent LEP, as part of its investment commitment to the future skills needs of the Solent economy. The facility will be located in Whippingham, East Cowes, offering specialised education and training for around 600 students.
The bid for funding for this project was led by GKN Aerospace and suppor ted by other local employers in the composites, marine and advanced manufacturing industries.
Our Role
PMc Ltd have been appointed by the Solent LEP to provide project assurance and advice to the College and the LEP on the delivery of the new Centre of Excellence for Composite, Advanced Manufacturing and Marine. We were appointed in September 2015 and we have worked with the College, their contractor and the project manager to close a £2m gap in the project budget, and we’re delighted that contracts were entered into in December – on budget and in scope. The Contract with construction partners, Balfour Beatty, was let in December 2015, work started on site in February 2016 with the frame and ground works progressing well at July 2016.
The new Centre opened to learners in September 2017. Throughout the construction period PMc supported the College and the Solent LEP in the delivery of this important project – bringing our skills, knowledge and experience to help create an outstanding new learning environment on the Isle of Wight.
Testimonials
Peter Marsh was appointed by the Solent LEP to help the Isle of Wight College and its professional team address a £2m difference between the available funds and the post tender cost packages on the College’s flagship ‘Centre of Excellence for Composites, Advanced Manufacturing and Marine’. His first priority was to clearly understand the College’s strategic priorities for this project and how it would benefit the students and employers. Peter’s comprehensive experience enabled him to quickly identify a broad range of solutions and devise a robust and structured framework for addressing the identified gap which built on the Value Engineering process that the College had commenced. With clear targets set and a timetable for action agreed, the College and their advisors were able to bring the project back within budget whilst preserving the required level of contingency to offset identified risks. Peter’s no nonsense approach and significant experience of working with LEPs and contractors on other projects helped us secure the funding for the project and maintain the confidence of the LEP in our combined ability to deliver.
Debbie Lavin, Principal, Isle of Wight College
The Solent LEP is committed to an ambitious programme of investment to support economic growth and raise productivity levels in the Solent. Developing the areas pipeline of marine engineering skills forms an important part of our investment programme, and the Isle of Wight’s Centre of Excellence for Composite, Advanced Manufacturing and Marine is a key project for the LEP. The LEP approached Peter Marsh Consulting to assist the College with delivery of the project. Peter has worked effectively with the College, their advisors and the LEP’s due diligence consultant to ensure the project has a solid basis for delivery.
Stuart Baker, Head of Local Growth, Solent LEP
