Cemex partner with James Watt College

New concrete testing facility to develop the skills needed for the workforce of tomorrow

REPRESENTATIVES from Cemex and BMet’s James Watt College, formally opened the college’s new concrete testing facility and classroom space at an unveiling ceremony last week. The new facility will allow students at the college to learn and develop their skills in an environment designed to better prepare students for industry.

BMet (Birmingham Metropolitan College) has five campuses across the city of Birmingham and offers vocational courses (BTECs) for 16–19-year-olds, apprenticeships and trailblazers, as well as full and part-time courses for adults including Access to Higher Education and university-level study. The partnership with Cemex has allowed the college to enhance its learning content to an industry standard across its construction related courses.

Lex Russell, materials managing director of Cemex UK and chair of the Mineral Products Association (MPA), said: ‘This collaboration demonstrates how industry and academic institutions can work in close partnership to help develop the future talent pipeline for the construction sector and ultimately support the Government’s growth ambitions around house building and critical infrastructure projects.

‘Two of the key components in supporting growth across these sectors will be the supply of materials and the availability of a skilled workforce. We’re very proud to be able to partner with James Watt College in Birmingham, which provides exceptional facilities and courses designed to provide people with the skills they need for industry.

James Watt College specializes in construction, engineering, media, health, social care and early-years study and provides cutting-edge educational and vocational facilities for developing construction and trade skills with courses covering electric, gas, plumbing, bricklaying and a range of technical and support operations programmes for the rail industry.

Andy Lees, senior director of curriculum, innovation, and construction at BMet, commented: ‘It gives me great pleasure to announce the official unveiling of our brand-new concrete testing facility at the James Watt Campus – developed in proud partnership with Cemex – and we were very honoured to be joined by representatives from Cemex, including Lex Russell, to celebrate this exciting milestone. Their presence highlights the importance of this collaboration in helping shape both the curriculum model and the learning content delivered within it.

‘This cutting-edge facility offers our construction learners the opportunity to carry out real-world concrete testing, closely aligned with current industry practices. Combined with the Department for Infrastructure and Groundworks, also based at James Watt Campus, students can now pour, cast, and test concrete – all within a fully integrated and practical learning environment.

‘The support we receive from Cemex is absolutely integral to our mission. Their continued collaboration enables us to co-design curriculum content, ensuring our learners are not only actively engaged but also fully prepared for the demands of industry. In many cases, this partnership opens up pathways and opportunities that learners may not have previously considered.

‘This is a shining example of how education and industry can come together to develop the skills needed for the workforce of tomorrow.’

One example of how the partnership is already producing future talent is Cemex apprentice fitter George Howell, who is currently taking an electrical course at James Watt College and has recently received the Individual Recognition Award and finished as runner-up in the Young Leader Award category at the MPA’s Health & Safety Awards.

Mr Howell commented: ‘The opportunities I’ve received from Cemex and through the college have allowed me to develop my skills and experiences in such a way that I have been able to apply what I have learned with the college to my day-to-day role at Cemex. The facilities at the college are fantastic and my confidence has improved a huge amount during my time here.’