Express & Star

College construction starts at Springfield Brewery

Work is starting on a multi-million pound college campus which students will have a hand in building.

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Staff at the new West Midlands Construction University Technical College are in training this week, with students starting at the temporary Northicote School campus on Monday.

They will then move into a purpose-built campus at the old Springfield Brewery in Wolverhampton city centre, with work starting on the site this week. The new campus is expected to open next year.

How the entrance to the campus will look

UTCs are government funded schools which offer 14 to 18 year olds integrated technical, practical and academic learning in an environment where students can thrive and develop specific abilities that employers need.

The West Midlands Construction UTC will initially open with students in years 10 and 12. Ultimately it will have 600 students at the Springfield site.

Tom Macdonald, the UTC's principal, said the venture is an incredible opportunity for the young people of the West Midlands.

Artist's impression of the developed Springfield Brewery

He said: "This is an exciting time for the UTC as we complete the final arrangements to receive our first cohort of Year 10 and 12 students.

"Uniquely our first cohort of students will get involved in the construction of their own school buildings, working alongside professionals to develop their skills in areas such as architecture, quantity surveying, civil engineering and network installation."

The University of Wolverhampton completed the deal to buy the 12-acre Springfield Brewery site earlier this year, after revealing £70m plans to transform it into a state-of-the-art construction and skills campus and business park, which the university is sponsoring along with the Construction Industry Training Board.

An artist's impression of the university

The university's School of Architecture and the Built Environment is also earmarked to move to the site.

Plans for the UTC have been approved by the council and contractors Thomas Vale and technical services providers Mott MacDonald are on site this week.

Designed by Associated Architects, the development will involve conversion of part of the site including a Grade II listed building, as well as building a three-storey extension.

WMCUTC principal Tom Macdonald and University Vice-Chancellor Professor Geoff Layer at Springfield Brewery

University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, said: "The university is incredibly proud to have invested in such a fantastic opportunity for the future generation of construction and built environment professionals.

"This is all part of our major investment plan, 'Our Vision, Your Opportunity' which will generate £250m of investment over the next five years as we seek to focus on economic growth and creating jobs."

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