Work to begin on Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy

3,500 people in underground construction to be offered training over the projects lifetime.

Work is set to start on the new Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy (TUCA) at Alderbrook Sidings on the Newham and Redbridge border.

The purpose-built TUCA will use Crossrail to offer training to at least 3,500 people in underground construction alone over the lifetime of the project.

Crossrail at its peak will employ some 14,000 people. The TUCA aims to address the shortage of people with the necessary skills to work on Crossrail and other tunnelling projects across the UK.

The establishment of TUCA is an important part of Crossrail meeting its commitments to improve skills and create employment opportunities within the industry.

The Academy will provide training on the key skills required to work in tunnel excavation and underground construction and will ensure that all people working underground on Crossrail sites achieve the Underground Safety Passport.

Training at the Academy will initially be provided to people working on Crossrail to meet the needs of the construction timetable and will include National Vocational Qualifications such as NVQ Level 2 in Tunnelling Operations.

The TUCA will provide training for contractors working on other major London tunnelling projects, as well as the potential to assist European projects. The new Academy will ensure that there are sufficient numbers of people with the skills to work safely in underground construction to satisfy industry demand.

It is planned that the TUCA will be operated as an independent organisation once the Crossrail construction is complete and become a long-term provider of tunnelling skills to the construction industry.

TUCA will start to offer training in spring 2011 and the building will be fully open by summer 2011.

Terry Morgan, Crossrail Chairman, said: "Contractors winning work with Crossrail will recruit and employ local people along the construction route and it is likely many of these people will attend training at the Academy."

Further information:
Crossrail