A new Chair has been announced for Derby College's Professional Construction Employment & Skills Academy.

Architect Peter Newman, an Associate Director at Morrison Design, will lead an Advisory Board of representatives from ten other local and regional companies who specialise in all aspects of professional construction.

He will take over the role from Rebecca Hartshorn, Design and Sustainability Manager at Bowmer & Kirkland, who will become Vice Chair of the Advisory Board.


The Board representatives will provide feedback to the College on curriculum design and the industry’s future education training requirements. In addition, they will provide a wide range of work placements, visits, projects, mock interviews and specialist lectures for students on the full and part time Professional Construction study programmes.

Mr Newman said: "Many aspects of professional construction suffer from skills shortages so, by raising the profile of the industry amongst young people and supporting them into the workplace, we can tackle this growing issue.

"It is vital that employers work closely with education providers to bridge the gap between the skills provided and the reality of what is required in the workplace.

"By bringing together professionals from across the industry, we are able to share the broader view on skills requirements and offer the learners a wide range of experience as part of their study programmes."

(LM/MH)