Students at the Construction Skills Hub shared their experiences with members of the Staveley Town Deal Board at a meeting this month.
The first cohort of learners started in September 2023. Initially based at Chesterfield College, they will be moving to the new training hub - one of the projects being funded through the Staveley Town Deal.
An innovative approach to learning, the Construction Skills Hub provides a range of sector specific training on a live construction site in Mastin Moor, allowing learners at the hub to develop their skills, whilst also gaining experience in the sector.
Brandon, a current student of the Construction Skills Hub. said: “This is an excellent opportunity for me to get the skills and knowledge needed to get a job within the construction industry, I have lived within the Staveley area since birth, and this will give me the chance to secure a job working within my local community.”
Brianna, one of two female students at the Construction Skills Hub, explained: “There are not many females who work within the construction trades, but I know that the training, qualifications and work experience that I learn will help me to achieve my ambition of working on a building site. Also, who knows, I might even encourage more females to learn a trade.”
The Construction Skills Hub forms a key part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s skills action plan.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The Hub is a fantastic way of ensuring young people can develop the skills and experience they need to secure a great career here in Staveley. It’s a unique way of approaching skills development and I’m pleased that we are working with so many fantastic partners to deliver this project, which will help ensure that young people in Staveley get the training and skills they need to have a great career in our borough.”
Chesterfield College and the University of Derby have been appointed to deliver the education programme at the Construction Skills Hub.
Gavin Varley, assistant principal, Advanced Manufacturing and Building Technologies explained: “Experiencing a live site is invaluable experience for our students taking their first steps into working in the construction industry. As a college we pride ourselves on serving the needs of our community and unique projects such as this one achieve that on so many levels. Students will experience every single aspect of what goes into a site of this scale meaning they enter this wonderful industry with their eyes wide open to the possibilities and opportunities it can offer them.”
The Hub is being built on a live construction site in Mastin Moor that is managed by the Devonshire Group.
Andrew Byrne, property development director at Devonshire Group, said: “The Devonshire Group is delighted to be involved with this project, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see its progress from an idea to reality and now have students on site. We’re committed to working with local communities and we believe that one of the best ways we can do this is by providing somewhere to train and upskill local people to create long term value for the area. The students who attend the Skills Hub will learn how to shape and create the places that we all live, work and play in. They will be the builders, developers and businesses of the future.”
Funded through the Staveley Town Deal the Construction Skills Hub is initially based in Mastin Moor but this will change as new housing sites are opened up and it will engage closely with local schools.
Ivan Fomin, chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, “It was fantastic to hear from some of the first learners at the Construction Skills Hub and discover how the investment made through the Town Deal is helping them to build their future in Staveley. Our aim is to ensure that Staveley is a place where people can start, stay and grow – the Hub is key to achieving this vision and providing a place where young people can start their career, grow their skills and build a long-term future in the town.”
The Construction Skills Hub is one of nine projects that will be funded through the Staveley Town Deal. After developing a Town Investment Plan, Staveley was awarded £25.2 million to deliver this plan with a funding deadline of March 2026.
Funding has also been provided to regenerate the town centre, extend the Chesterfield Canal and refurbish Barrow Hill Memorial Hall. Find out more about the Town Deal and the range of projects being funded by visiting the Staveley Town Deal page.
