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Kier Construction is the lead contractor in the £54 million project for our new health and wellbeing building, which is central to the University’s strategic expansion or Campus Connectivity Plan. It is due to open in late 2026. The new building will feature NHS-standard clinical rooms, teaching and sports therapy spaces as well as a café and garden areas.

The visit is one of a whole programme of practical excursions organised by Nicky Harris (third from right in the picture above) Quality lead in SSEE school and senior lecturer on the BSc Construction Project Management programme.

A Quantity Surveyor by training, Nicky has been in the sector for 16 years and believes it is vital for students to meet industry professionals and to visit sites. “Giving the students the chance to speak to experienced professionals and see how busy building sites work in practice is a great opportunity,” says Nicky. 

“Kier have been very open to working with us either through classroom lectures or site visits like this one, and we will be hosting more of the same as the building gathers pace towards completion late next year.”

Nicky arranged for the Health and Wellbeing building project to be the basis for the Level 6 BSc Construction Project Management module, which is offering students the opportunity to apply what they are learning through a live project.

“It’s a win-win for the �������� that we should work closely with our suppliers to enrich learning opportunities,” says Nicky. “These huge, complex infrastructure projects make ideal case studies for our learners. And the fact they are happening right on our doorstep make them an amazing opportunity for our students to experience them in person.”

Social Value Manager at Kier Construction Lucy Hingley adds: “At Kier we are keen to support the next generation of building professionals. The �������� is one of the main organisations training them and we are delighted to support students and academics in any way we can.”

Nicky adds: “The health building is just one of three big University building projects. Morgan Sindall and Tilbury Douglas are also major contractors delivering work as part of our campus expansion plans, and we have separate programmes of activity with them too.”

Read more about the other exciting building projects which are part of the University’s Campus Connectivity Plan here.

We’ll share more soon on other interesting learning opportunities which are being developed as part of the expansion and development of the University’s estate.