ASPIRING tradespeople will have the chance to learn their craft by helping to build a new 725-home development.

South Essex College has announced it will team up with developer Redrow to open a new construction skills centre on its current campus in Nethermayne, Basildon.

The college is moving to a new £30million campus in Basildon town centre as part of a scheme which will see Redrow build 725 homes off Dry Street.

The £600,000 centre, which is due to open in the new year, will be built on the site of the Basildon Sports Centre at the campus, which is currently shared with Basildon Council.

Courses in building trades such as painting and decorating, carpentry and joinery, brickwork and plastering will be offered at the centre.

It is hoped the project, funded by the college, will lead to an increase in apprenticeships and address regional skills shortages in the building sector.

Apprentices will get the chance to put their skills to real-life use by working on the Dry Street development site.

Deputy principal Anthony McGarel said the college has developed this training centre in response to the growth of the construction industry.

He added: “The centre will provide courses that give local people the opportunity to fill available jobs in the sector and this will support economic growth in south Essex.”

Keith Parrett, Redrow regional chief executive, said industry figures show that Essex is one of the top three areas nationwide for job creation in housing.

He added: “We’re fully committed to learning and developing and are looking forward to continuing our partnership with South Essex College to help equip young people with skills for the future.”

David Dadds, Tory councillor responsible for regeneration, said: “Basildon is growing and we want our young people to be able to take advantage of the job opportunities that this growth will create.

“Making sure they have the skills that industry needs is absolutely vital and I welcome the development of this new skills centre.”

Basildon Council is working to provide alternative arrangements for users of the sports centre on the campus.

The sale of the Nethermayne campus to Redrow was confirmed last year when Basildon Council granted full planning permission for the first phase of the housing estate, which will see 181 homes built.