FOCUS ON INNOVATION |
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Looking to the future |
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Inside BLOQS .
The impact on the economy could be noted for much longer , with more than 4,000 hours of education provided by BLOQS on machinery , software and manufacturing skills . More than 550 hours of free adult education has been provided with London ’ s largest further education provider , Capital City College Group . The team ’ s and site ’ s capabilities have also led to Imperial College ’ s Engineering Department engaging BLOQS to deliver undergraduate teaching modules .
An example of unleashing collective talent through community is ‘ BLOQS Create ’, an in-house BLOQS design and fabrication service that leverages the expertise of its pool of 700 + designers and makers to deliver multidisciplinary projects under one roof . Recent commissions have included design-led modern public spaces such as an interactive child-friendly public streetscape in Palmers Green to the wholesale refit of Fore Street Livingroom Library , and the Wandsworth Food Bus helping tackle issues of affordability and access to good quality food in deprived areas .
Providing this education and accessibility to opportunities in manufacturing will be key to addressing the dwindling workforce that threatens the sector , which is so vital to the economy .
“ It is estimated that the sector will create a staggering 32,000 new jobs by 2027 . However , a ‘ City & Guilds : Youth Misspent : Uncovering the harsh realities for Britain ’ s young people in today ’ s job market ’ report revealed that while nearly a third ( 31 %) of 18-25-year-olds would consider working in the sector , when asked to choose one profession they aspire to work in , only 2 % chose manufacturing ,” outlined BLOQS .
“ Britain is the birthplace of the first industrial revolution . We must now inspire our young people [ to believe ] that it can be the birthplace of the next ,” commented Al Parra .
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Inside BLOQS . |
The Wandsworth Food Bus . |
Office and meeting space . |
The site in London ’ s Lea Valley is the first BLOQS , but the goal is for this to become a new kind of productive local economy that could be readily replicated across the UK and beyond .
Alisha Fredriksson , CEO of Seabound and BLOQS member , commented on her experience : “ The alternative to BLOQS was basically to sign a five-year lease in a big empty warehouse that we would have to fully equip ourselves . That was a really big barrier and very hard to justify . It didn ’ t make any sense . At BLOQS , you don ’ t need to pay for a long and expensive lease . You can come for a month , you can come for a day , you can get support and you don ’ t have to figure it all out in isolation . If you ’ re trying to build an ambitious solution to tackle the climate crisis , don ’ t try to do it alone . BLOQS is a really fun , quirky , nourishing group of people .”
Olga Linardou , production manager of Sterk Studio which provides fabrication and design services ( such as art installations , set construction and exhibitions for organisations such as Salon de Mobil and the Roundhouse ) is another enthusiastic member .
“ BLOQS has been a beloved home to me for years now . We love inviting our clients to see their commissions being made here . They come to see their piece but showing it to them within BLOQS helps us contextualise and explain our work ,” she explained .
“ Our clients can see that what they ’ ve commissioned for their museums or venue has a narrative of community and technology in its creation ,” she concluded . n
https :// bloqslondon . com
www . bloqscreate . com /
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