Black Country UTC students see site of new campus
A GROUP of Black Country UTC students have got their first look at the site of the college’s new multi-million pound campus in central Walsall.
Earlier this year the University Technical College announced it was relocating to state-of-the-art facilities next to the new Walsall College, a move which has been backed by the Department for Education.
The UTC’s Board of Directors identified a building off Portland Street for refurbishment and expansion as a specialist science and engineering centre for the borough’s 14-19 year olds. It will be situated just yards from Walsall College’s £64m Wisemore Campus and the £11m Business and Sports Hub which is due to open in September 2015.
Black Country UTC Principal, Paul Averis, who was appointed in September, said: “Students are very excited about moving to a new hi-tech campus nearer to Walsall and we want them to be involved as much as possible in every stage of the construction.
“We are currently working with architects to define plans for the development and tendering for contractors and on track to open in September 2016.”
Chloe Leek, 15, said: “When the new campus opens I’ll hopefully be studying for my A-levels there and be one step closer to achieving my goal of working in the medical science sector.”
Established in 2011, the BCUTC has a strong legacy of delivery and its move to a central Walsall location will increase accessibility for students as well as improve recruitment opportunities. The BCUTC will continue to operate as normal until the move, when 300 students will transfer to the new campus.
It will further boost the region’s capability to meet the skills gap in engineering, as Walsall College has also created a new £300,000 Engineering Manufacturing Workshop at its nearby Green Lane Campus, offering specialist provision in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, which complement the BCUTC engineering offer, providing growth opportunities for both institutions.
“These new central facilities will allow more students than ever before to benefit from fantastic teaching and learning as we train the workforce of the future and help to boost the economy by meeting the regional skills gap for engineering and science,” added Averis.
