REL has been selected to provide electrical services at an £11m technical skills centre, which is the first of its kind to be located at a major UK airport.

Harlow College, in partnership with London Stansted Airport, is bringing forward the two-storey facility, which will be located on land made available by the airport. It will provide specialist further education tailored to fill skills gaps in engineering, business and finance and airport-related industries such as logistics and hospitality.

Willmott Dixon is the main contractor for the new facility, which is scheduled to open in September 2018. Appointed by Kershaw Mechanical Services, REL will deliver all the electrical services, including power, lighting, security systems, access control, and data installation.

“We’re looking forward to working with the team to help deliver this unique project, which will build the local skills base and support the airport’s future growth,” said Toby Buckley, REL’s managing director.

“We’ve worked on many schools and colleges but this one is one of the most unusual in terms of the design and location. Situated in a former aircraft hangar right next to the runway, there is lots of double height space to contend with and both conventional teaching facilities as well as a workshop area, so power usage will be high.  There will also be no natural ventilation, so all electrical services will need to be carefully co-ordinated with the extensive mechanical elements.”

REL is due to start on site in January 2018 with all electrical work scheduled for completion in August 2018 in time for the new academic year.