College braced for increase in construction place demand (From The Advertiser Series)

Darlington College ready for increase in construction course demand after planning decision

12:26pm Sunday 9th September 2012 in News

DARLINGTON College is bracing itself for a surge in demand for places on construction courses after the government announced plans to relax planning rules.

The government is to consult with people more extensively on larger home extensions and amend rules on developments to include affordable housing, to kick start the economy and force a growth in construction demand.

Tim Grant, principal at Darlington College, in Central Park, Haughton Road, said the move was an opportunity for the building trade to fight back, which the college could help.

He said: “The industry has been suffering for years but this could boost the profession, and we have already received enquiries about the trades such as plastering, brick-laying, and general building skills.

“It is highly likely the public will take advantage of the changes and this means the construction industry should be poised to cope with the demand.

“Many experts have predicted the construction industry will start to grow again by 2014, and these changes could be a catalyst for that.

“For young people in and around Darlington, there has never been a better time to acquire a new set of skills and gain a qualification which gets you in to work.”