A major infrastructure firm has revealed it is expanding its support of a West Cumbrian college, including a £50,000 boost.

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure has joined the trust board of the Energy Coast UTC, at Lillyhall, near Workington.

It has been involved with the UTC, recently rated as outstanding by Ofsted, since 2014 as a platinum partner, but as a member organisation on the board, it will contribute to the leadership and governance of the school.

It has agreed to provide an extra £50,000 for the academic year 2019/2020 and has contributed towards enabling the school to provide a specialist teaching programme for students who need extra help with English and numeracy.

Tim Corrigan, managing director of Morgan Sindall Infrastructure’s nuclear, energy and water business unit, will represent the company on the UTC’s trust board.

The company already works with the UTC to help run programmes to support the students with project-based learning and personal development skills, including problem solving, collaboration and self-management.

Morgan Sindall has offered work experience placements to students as well as contributing employees’ time to help with open evenings, workshops, assemblies and other one-off employer engagement events.

Simon Smith, managing director of Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, said: “Our partnership with the Energy Coast UTC is a terrific example of how we can positively impact communities where we work and is providing us with a blueprint of how we would like to work with other UTCs nationally.

“The school continues to flourish and it is a privilege to work with such a fantastic group of teachers and students, many of whom are benefitting directly from our apprenticeship scheme.”

Cherry Tingle, principal at Energy Coast UTC added: “Without the support of Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, young people in West Cumbria would not have the amazing opportunities they do. Their support has ensured no student ever leaves the UTC without an apprenticeship, job or university place. In fact, their support is as outstanding as the Ofsted judgement we have just received and it definitely contributed.”