LMC launch innovative new Electrical Centre in partnership with Bowkers

Lancaster & Morecambe College (LMC) Principal, Wes Johnson, was delighted to welcome Richard and Irene Bowker, from Bowker Building Services Engineers, onto campus to open the College’s new electrical testing facility, which has been named in memory of the company’s founder. 

The College worked with the prestigious firm to design and co-construct the Chris Bowker Electrical Centre, which has been developed to expand on the electrical courses at LMC provides to industry professionals, apprentices and full time students. The new facility, which was funded through the Department for Education’s SDF project, houses modern resources that meet the strict requirements of the industry standards, and includes 4 electric vehicle (EV) charging points. 

Richard Bowker, whose parents founded the company in 1974, helped cut the ribbon on the new centre.

We are delighted to be able to support the college in their continued commitment to excellence in electrical training.  From our first apprentice in 1977 to the current day they have helped us grow and develop our people, and enabled us to be one of the North West’s leading mechanical and electrical contractors.  We hope that this partnership will continue long into the future.

Richard and Irene were joined on the day by Nick Shield, Bowker’s first apprentice when it started operating in the 1970s. They accompanied Wes Johnson to the electrical centre where they met a group of electrical installation students, currently making use of the new facility for their own learning. The Bowkers then cut the ribbon and declared the centre officially open, before being shown around the campus by Ryann Williams, Programme Manager for Construction, Energy & Engineering. 

With over 50 years of excellence in building services engineering, Bowker’s is one of the largest electrical contractors in the North West. Having worked with the LMC apprenticeship team over the years, they approached the College in 2018 because they were unable to access industry-standard training courses, such as 18th Edition and Electrical Testing & Inspection, for their workforce within the local area. LMC were able to source and deliver the courses the company required, and some of the Bowker’s team have also achieved CMI Leadership & Management qualifications through the college’s Employer Hub.  

LMC’s Principal Wes Johnson, is proud of the College’s role supporting employers across our district.  

Lancaster & Morecambe College benefits from a productive working relationship with hundreds of local businesses, shaping our curriculum to ensure our provision and our college graduates meet local employers’ needs.  The Chris Bowker Electrical Centre is a great example of the College working in partnership with a key local employer to shape a new facility to meet the needs of the electrical engineering sector.  It was great to welcome the Bowker family and their team to campus to formally open this great new resource for our region. 

For more information about our professional courses and the support we can offer through our Employer Engagement team, head over Employers pages to find out more.