A new facility to train and find jobs for hundreds of people in the construction industry was today opened at the Harlow site where Public Health England (PHE) is creating its new £450 million public health science campus.

The Construction Skills Centre is a partnership between PHE, Harlow College, Jobcentre Plus, the Construction Industry Training Board and the three main contractors working on the 40-acre PHE Harlow site - VolkerFitzpatrick, Kier and Wates.

The aim is for the centre to train up to 1,000 people, to become work and site ready, within the first year of operation at construction projects across the area. The partners are also aiming to place more than 35% into employment.

It is hoped that the centre will remain at the PHE site during the construction phase and continue at other locations in the town beyond that.

Martin John, the new Director of the PHE Science Hub Programme, said: “We hope the centre is a clear signal of our strong desire to work with partners in the town and to be a vital member of the Harlow community.

“We have three of the largest construction companies in the country working with us. They will be able to offer a massive amount of knowledge and experience to the hundreds of people either training or working on site.”

Karen Spencer, Principal and CEO at Harlow College, said: “This project is another example where the college is working in partnership with employers to ensure we are developing a skilled local workforce that meets the needs of industry.

“Harlow College is proud to be supporting the construction industry in addressing their skills gaps in a way that directly benefits our community.”   

Harlow MP Mr Robert Halfon said: “With the upcoming move of Public Health England to Harlow, our town is fast-becoming the health-science capital of Europe - and, already, Harlow is reaping the benefits of their move.

"Not only will it bring a significant number of jobs into our town, but during the construction phase hundreds of residents of all ages will be either trained or employed at the site and that work will continue on other schemes in the future.”

A spokesman representing all three contractors said: “We are proud to be playing key roles in this centre which will make a significant difference to job and training opportunities within the construction industry in Harlow.”

If you want more details about opportunities at the centre please contact  or call 01279 868036