Project summary

The proposed National Skills Academy will be a state-of-the-art training facility for the entertainment industry in Thurrock, Thames Gateway, as well as providing a national centre, rehearsal and administrative space.

 Working together with employers, freelancers, colleges and training-providers throughout the country, the NSA will deliver industry-endorsed training for young people and professionals. The scheme is supported by over 120 leading employers from theatre and live music, and is an ambitious vision to provide world-class training for the world's greatest stages.

Charcoalblue is providing a full planning and technical systems design service for the project, including developing alternative master-planning proposals, creating area schedules and adjacencies plans, developing stagelighting, audiovisual and stage engineering proposals, and providing guidance on work at height considerations and related health and safety issues.

"You need to go to Purfleet to fully understand the scale and ambition of this exciting project. The NSA will create a national centre for production and technical aspects of the theatre and music industries. These great new buildings, plus the other facilities on this site, will bring in new energy to the area and provide jobs and training opportunities for local people."

Tony Hall, Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House