£6.6m science, tech and engineering centre to open at sixth form college

A Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) Centre at Cadbury Sixth Form College in Kings Norton, Birmingham will open later this month.

The £6.6m centre will be focused on delivering a new technical curriculum, responding to a growing need for specialist teaching facilities and learning for students. The centre aims to ensure that Cadbury Sixth Form College can offer students the broadest choice of advanced courses, including A levels, T Levels and vocational qualifications, across Birmingham.

The 1,000 sqm, two storey STEM Centre will support the education of young people looking to enter careers in advanced manufacturing, life sciences and other critical sectors of the economy. It will house dedicated suites for Digital Media, Health, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Employers to engage with their future workforce. Digital learning labs and Virtual Reality (VR) suites will offer robotics and coding opportunities for new T Level and A Level courses, alongside a media suite, a practical healthcare learning space, extended classrooms and flexible study and social spaces.

The project marks phase two of Cadbury College’s ambition to position itself to support as many young people as possible who aspire to advanced learning and university; and continues the multi-year investment following the opening of its £3.5m Science City facilities in 2021. This new facility will support the supply of new skills and jobs across Birmingham and the West Midlands for both universities and employers.

Julia Stevens, principal of Cadbury Sixth Form College, said: “We’re so excited to open the doors to our new STEM Centre this month, providing local students with even more opportunities to study in state-of-the-art facilities.

“The new building will allow students to get hands on and see what the industry looks like, preparing them for life after college – whether that be for university or straight into employment. By providing specialist teaching facilities in growth areas such as advanced manufacturing and life sciences, the new STEM Centre will be a huge benefit to the wider community and the regional economy.”