Member Article

Sunderland College to progress £29 million development

City of Sunderland College will undergo a £29 million redevelopment thanks to funding from the Skills Funding Agency (SFA), Sunderland City Council and College reserves.

The College received £10 million of government funding to support the first phase of the project.

Money will be spent on construction of industry standard accommodation for advanced engineering, construction and automotive trade skills training and the works will mean regeneration of the College’s city centre site.

A new 11,500 square campus will be built on land opposite Park Lane bus station to accommodate 2,000 students and 120 staff.

Anne Isherwood, principal at Sunderland College said: “This investment is a huge boost for Sunderland and especially the city centre. The campus will provide high class facilities for vocational learners across the region and will give us a flagship site that will strengthen our offer to students and make us more aligned to the needs of local businesses.

“As well as providing a major boost for the College it is fantastic to be playing a role in the regeneration of the city centre.

“There is a huge amount of work going on to improve the city centre and having a campus right at the heart of Sunderland will help to really invigorate the area, as well as giving Sunderland College a more compelling offer. I believe we will be able to attract more students from outside the city as well as those from Sunderland.

“It’s an exciting time for Sunderland College as well as education provision in the city.”

Cllr Paul Watson, Leader of Sunderland City Council said: “The continued development of the city centre is absolutely crucial to the future of Sunderland.

“So we’re delighted to see the Skills Funding Agency and Sunderland College investing in this key regeneration site and it’s a development we’re very happy to support.

“To have a flagship campus on this site will be a major boost for the city centre and its economy. It’s also ideal for the staff and students who will be based there with its excellent transport links and city centre location.”

The funding for City of Sunderland College forms part of the Government’s most recent round of College Capital Investment Fund (CCIF) allocations.

Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock revealed that 22 colleges will invest £194.3 million in the building of new facilities.

On a visit to New College Nottingham, a previous CCIF grant recipient, Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock said: “I am delighted that we are continuing our commitment to improving our colleges, delivering £194 million of capital investment to 22 colleges, who made impressive bids based on responding to consumer need.

“Effective capital investment has a significant educational and economic impact, helping attract learners back into education and training, improving learner outcomes, and boosting the businesses and communities they serve.

“As part of the government’s long term economic plan we must ensure that further education and vocational training is of the highest possible quality and this vital investment will help make that a reality.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .