Thurrock Learning Partnership are excitedly awaiting the delivery of the “Skills Lorry”. Known by the IIC team a the Construction Bus, it will support the delivery of practical construction skills and act as a base for the delivery of Information, Advice and Guidance events by the Youth and Connexions service in Thurrock. The lorry will allow the training team to deliver skills in the local and wider community.

The lorry will provide vocational “workshop” learning and virtual learning opportunities to support the development of the Thurrock Engagement Programme, the 14-19 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment and skills training for adults in the local community.

The lorry will also be available to build on the positive impact of the existing Thurrock Trade School by offering opportunities to a wider audience, including those looking for work, people who can't afford to travel for training and people with disabilities.

The Thurrock Skills Lorry has been largely funded by a generous grant from the East of England Development Agency, through the IIC programme.

The original mobile delivery idea was generated by the manager of the Thurrock Learning Partnership, Maureen Wilcox. Maureen said: “We are grateful to Mahroof Kazi, IIC Project Development Manager at Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership, for his support and encouragement in developing the proposal”. The idea expanded into its final form as ideas for its use and the number of young people needing to access the facilities were developed. The design, development and construction of the vehicle have been managed by Event Marketing Solutions (EMS). EMS have absorbed the headaches and delivered the project on-time and on-budget.

The lorry expands hydraulically to give full disabled access to a classroom space of over 55 square metres, plus an office area equipped with 2 computers with internet connectivity. From arrival in any car park or flat-space to delivery of learning takes less than an hour. The lorry is completely self-contained, being air-conditioned and fitted with a diesel powered generator system.

This unique facility will be equipped with multi-skill stands to compliment the current brick and wood skills provisions at Jack Lobley School and The Culver Centre. The stands will allow Electrical Installation, Plumbing, Tiling and Painting and Decorating sessions to be offered without expensive alterations to the interior of the lorry. The internal walls are wipe-clean to allow designs and ideas to be created adjacent to the workstation. The lorry is also equipped with a projector and sound system.

The bus will accommodate 16 young people in its workshop area and includes an office/IT area for support and access to the internet for IAG and computer based assessment. With the workstations folded it can seat 40 people theatre style.

The lorry will enable these skills and other learning experiences to be delivered in and around Thurrock. It will operate during and outside term-time and around the normal school day.

For example, Thurrock's Integrated Youth Support Service (IYSS) plan to deliver evening skills sessions to young people.

ALM is a key partner in the development of this resource. Their experience in providing skills training and the impact they have already achieved with the engagement programme will provide practical advice and guidance to the project. Darren Coleman, the Managing Director of ALM, contributed to the original design of the lorry and has developed a wide range of six week accredited courses that can be delivered using the resource. Darren said: “The lorry will offer courses identified by the members of the Learning Partnership and the 14-19 Strategic Partnership but we hope other partners will join up.”