Work on city construction academy complete
Sunderland City CouncilA construction skills academy has been finished ahead of its opening later this year.
The Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA) at Riverside Sunderland will welcome future engineers and builders in September.
The Riverside site, a 47-acre park made up of five areas on both sides of the River Wear, is being built as part of Sunderland City Council's redevelopment of the area.
Sunderland City Council said the academy would "educate, train and upskill" students and would add to "the rich history" that the city had of people making things.
The HICSA is one of several projects involved in Riverside Sunderland, including City Hall, The Beam, Keel Crossing and a new footbridge across the River Wear.
Councillor Kevin Johnston said the work being finished marked an "exciting milestone in the development of Riverside Sunderland".
He said the site would see "hundreds of young people every year study in this transforming part of the city".
"The people of Sunderland have a rich history of making things and HICSA will further build on this proud heritage, providing our young people with the skills and knowledge required to make the sustainable, eco-friendly homes of tomorrow," he added.
Education Partnership North East said the building was now due to have its internal fit-out completed and be formally handed over to Sunderland College.