The creation of an £8.8 million skills hub to train people for careers in emerging industries and help businesses adapt to new technologies has taken a major step forward.
Education and council leaders joined construction specialists to see the state-of-the-art building – called the Future Tech Skills and Knowledge Exchange – take shape at West Nottinghamshire College’s Chesterfield Road campus in Mansfield.
A large steel frame that makes up the ‘skeleton’ of the structure has been erected, taking it into the next phase of development, which will involve constructing the external elevations, masonry work, installing windows and doors, and completing roof coverings.
Due for completion in summer 2025, the flagship facility will accommodate around 300 college students and will deliver qualifications at level 3 and above, with a strong focus on innovation and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects.
Incorporating facilities to support construction, engineering and digital technologies, it aims to prepare Mansfield to meet future labour market needs, plug skills gaps, and create better-paid jobs, particularly in sectors that are growing through advances in technology and automation.
This latest college building will provide 1,343 sq m of teaching space across two floors and be a focal delivery point for T Levels – technical-based qualifications developed in collaboration with employers.
It will also offer opportunities for businesses to benefit from the technological expertise of the college and Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and their networks of industrial partnerships.
Andrew Cropley, principal and chief executive of West Nottinghamshire College, said: “I’m delighted the Future Tech Skills and Knowledge Exchange is emerging from the ground and beginning to take shape. It is a fantastic, physical symbol of a growing sense of optimism and a determination to embrace technology – and to create an exciting and prosperous future for local people.
“We look forward to working with our partners from Nottingham Trent University and in local businesses to help young people, adult learners and employers develop the skills and knowledge that will enable them to seize opportunities and grow our economy.
“This building will provide a great partner to our sixth-form college at the Chesterfield Road campus and make this site a focus for nurturing skills and expanding knowledge in the very heart of the East Midlands.”
Funding for the multi-million-pound project is through a £4.3 million allocation from Mansfield District Council’s Towns Fund pot, £3.8 million from the Education and Skills Funding Agency as part of the second phase of its Further Education Capital Transformation Fund, and £734,000 from the college and NTU.
Executive Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams, said: “To see the steel frame structure in place for this state-of-the-art facility is a proud moment for the council as we are starting to see the reality of our regeneration plans for education in Mansfield come to life.
“I am confident that the Future Tech Skills and Knowledge Exchange, once constructed and fully operational, will attract new employers to Mansfield as it develops high-level, industry-relevant skills here. Our partnership with the college to bring one of the biggest expansions in educational and skills provision for decades is one I am incredibly proud of, and I cannot wait to see the site works gather pace and conclude in the coming months.”
The centre will serve as a knowledge exchange between the college, university and employers – giving businesses greater understanding of future trends and the opportunities technology will bring, plus support with product and process innovation.
There will also be spaces where students and employers can work collaboratively on projects to support the greater use of evolving technology.
This will allow learners to gain significant work experience on technology-driven projects, giving them valuable insight into how businesses work while aiding their progression to higher education or employment.
Meanwhile, businesses will gain access to support and a ready-made future workforce, helping them improve their competitiveness and efficiency.
The building will also host regular business engagement events and roadshows, showcasing specialist equipment to firms in the district and surrounding areas.
Jeremy Hague, director of knowledge exchange at Nottingham Trent University, said: “The Future Tech Skills and Knowledge Exchange is a fantastic opportunity for Mansfield and surrounding areas. NTU is committed to collaborating with key stakeholders to deliver real sustainable growth and this skills hub is evidence of the power of these partnerships.
“It will provide life-changing outcomes by providing much-needed skills for the local economy, and we are excited to watch as the building takes shape over the next few months.”
The building’s lower ground-floor will incorporate a T Levels centre, library and circulation space, while its upper ground-floor will house 11 classrooms and circulation space. Additional car parking spaces will be created, along with electric vehicle charging points, bicycle storage and new areas of soft and hard landscaping to provide a welcoming environment for students.
The centre will incorporate Ashfield House, an early nineteenth-century Georgian building, which has been retained and will have prominence in front of the skills hub, forming a visual link between the area’s past and present.
In addition, the portico on the former School of Art building has been retained and will be re-positioned to create the entrance to the new centre, preserving the historical significance of this architectural feature.
Gavin Peake, director of IT, estates and learning resources at the college, said: “It is exciting to see the building move into its ‘above ground’ phase of construction. Once complete, it will be used by a variety of STEM subjects to deliver high-quality education and training in both existing and emerging sectors.
“This new facility, in the centre of Mansfield, will enable our students to study towards innovative careers in areas such as engineering, construction and digital, and fill skills gaps for many local firms. It will be an extremely welcome addition to the college’s estate and will further strengthen our links with employers in responding to future-facing job roles.”
Darren Chapman, operations director at Clegg Construction, the building contractor leading on the site’s development, said: “We are delighted to be working with one of the leading further education providers in the East Midlands on the construction of its Future Tech Skills and Knowledge Exchange hub.
“As a Nottinghamshire-based contractor, several of our staff, including me, are West Nottinghamshire College alumni and neighbours. We are especially excited to be involved in the creation of these new facilities, which will support the future training of professionals in a range of sectors, including our multi-faceted construction industry.”
