Prospects College of Advanced Technology is moving its construction offer from Southend to a better equipped, specialist centre from September.

The new Procat campus will be in Basildon and will provide pathways to

apprenticeships and higher-level qualifications in courses such as carpentry and joinery and construction maintenance operations.

The news should help to allay the fears of school leavers, particularly in Southend, and let potential students start their career in the construction industry with confidence in September.

Applications are still being considered.

The number of skill-shortage vacancies between 2013 and 2015 has doubled in the construction sector.

Procat remains committed to its mission to train the next generation of master craftspeople for UK industry to help combat this shortage.

The college admits the closure of the Southend campus could cause travel problems but has worked with the local train companies to get excellent deals for its students, as well as to create an enriched learning experience at a brand new state-of-the-art facility.

Neil Bates, principal and CEO of Procat, said: “As we continue to work to ensure that all Procat College students benefit from outstanding teaching, it is right that we make the best use of the resources and facilities we have.

“In recent years, the college has built some fantastic new campuses which have given us this opportunity to relocate curriculum closer to employers.

“No current students or staff will be affected by the closure this academic year. We will work with students who are continuing their courses or who are joining us in September to ensure that they are able to travel to their new centre of study.”