Cradley Heath Skills Centre

However, a complex range of obstacles lay in their path. These included extensive local opposition, a difficult planning process, a lengthy project funding delay, a limited amount of space, party-wall issues and an invasive species on site. 

Fortunately, with our extensive education construction experience, we were right by their side, ready to help.

Pulse Consult was appointed via the College’s new professional services framework, with the goal of assembling a professional education construction project team, overcoming the complex issues, and managing the entire build through to completion.

Due to issues between the College and the local authority responsible for administering the Towns Fund funding stream, the project was paused for 12 months after the first stage of the contractor tender. Inflation saw costs rise significantly during that time, while the funding and budget remained the same. This put increased pressure on the project, but with rigorous value management, we achieved an affordable contract sum, without adversely affecting the building’s aesthetic or function. 

We’ve maintained the project’s critical path, ensured statutory compliance, retained a strong design and contractor dynamic and and successfully negotiated a tough planning process. We’ve also steered the project through a competitive stage two tender using the public sector Pagabo Framework and, as it progresses, we’ll be administering the contract, and acting as the interface between contractor and client teams.

• Project management consultancy
• Procurement advice & management
• Project programming & planning
• Stakeholder management
• Value management
• Risk management
• Employer’s agent
• Construction planning & project controls
• Scope & change management

Despite the project’s on-site start date being pushed back, we’ve successfully maintained momentum. Work is due to begin in autumn 2024 and the client is excited about taking that next step. For the Sandwell College family, this education construction project will significantly boost its portfolio, student numbers and local reach.

We’re on track for the new facility to open in early 2026 and once complete, it’s going to bring huge benefits to the community by creating new adult learning opportunities. People in what is currently a disadvantaged area will be able to develop new practical skills and trades, opening the door to new career paths and boosting local employment levels.