Students look to build skills with construction simulator

Article date: 30 June 2025

A hi-tech 'simulator' will be based at Hope Academy in Newton le Willows all week to give pupils an opportunity to try out different jobs found on construction sites, such as driving diggers and operating cranes.

The move is part of the Parkside Regeneration schools outreach programme as it gears up towards work starting on the giant project's first phase. The aim is to encourage children to consider the range of well-paid jobs in the UK's construction industry.

"There will be a wide range of skilled and semi-skilled jobs available as Parkside's first phase is built-out over the next three years, alongside apprenticeships and training opportunities," explains John Downes, Executive Chairman of Langtree, the joint venture partner with St Helens Council that will bring the former colliery site back to productive use.

"We want as many local people and firms as possible to benefit from our investment and this initiative will show school-leavers the opportunities open to them during the construction phase." 

Mr Downes, from Haydock, began his career as a trainee mining surveyor at Parkside Colliery.  "When I was sixteen, the choice for young people was either the pit or the local glassworks.  Parkside will massively increase career options for local young people once it's up and running,"

Commenting on the simulator's value, Amy Green, Assistant Principal at Hope Academy said:

"Our pupils go on to pursue a wide range of academic and career options but the sheer variety of jobs in the construction sector is a real eye-opener.  The simulator is a valuable and engaging way to provide first hand experience in a safe environment.  We expect as many as a hundred pupils to make use of it throughout the week."

The unit has been provided by Civil and Remediation Ltd, who have trained up teacher Mr Charlie Wignall to instruct pupils how to get the most from it.  Students are being encouraged to visit multiple times during break-times and lunch hours to explore as many different job roles as possible.

Commenting on the initiative Councillor Kate Groucutt, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business and Inclusive Growth at St Helens Council said:

"Our regeneration programme is focused on providing real opportunities for residents - not just when projects are completed but throughout the entirety of the schemes. Initiatives such as this are designed to equip young people with practical, real-world skills to prepare them to step into the new roles emerging through the large-scale regeneration that is taking place across the borough. As well as roles in construction, our long-term vision for Parkside is to help our residents to access rewarding highly skilled careers in areas such as advanced manufacturing and logistics. Through all our projects we remain committed to delivering meaningful social value and laying the foundation for long-term prosperity for our communities."

Parkside Colliery was closed in 1992 and employed more than 2,000 workers at its peak.  When its regeneration is complete, the scheme's backers hope to have created more than 4,000 new jobs across a wide range of roles supporting tenants from the logistics and manufacturing sectors.  Parkside Regeneration LLP is the joint venture vehicle established by St Helens Council and Langtree to deliver the site's transformation.