Construction firm BAM has been awarded a major contract to build a new college campus in Cornwall. The firm, one of the country's largest education building contractors, is set to undertake a “transformative” upgrade of the facilities at Cornwall College St Austell.
The college, which has a student body of around 15,000, said it was “delighted” with the concept of the the build BAM had provided, as it released the first designs of the new buildings for the campus.
John Evans, chief executive and principal of The Cornwall College Group (TCCG), said: “This is absolutely massive for the St Austell community and surrounding areas and those wanting a positive, vibrant and meaningful education delivered in the most inspirational buildings in the region.
“Our learners will benefit from the most modern and engaging college facilities in the country, with the added bonus of being one of the first carbon neutral colleges in the UK. These are incredibly exciting times for St Austell and we are thrilled to be working with BAM to make this new college a reality.”
Tim Chell, regional director for BAM’s Bristol-headquartered western region, added: “Cornwall and its people have always meant a lot to us at BAM and building a new college which is the heart of so many communities is a big responsibility.”
BAM is also “on the cusp” of another large college scheme down in Cornwall, it said. The firm recently secured a contract to deliver a new £44m education campus for Yeovil College in Somerset, while it is currently working on an extensive set of new facilities for Bristol Royal Infirmary.
Cornwall College St Austell was one of 16 colleges in England to receive a significant investment as part of the government’s further education capital transformation fund. The college has appointed David Atkinson-Beaumont, formerly programme team leader Truro and Penwith College, as head as it prepares for the new campus.
Mr Atkinson-Beaumont added: “The Cornwall College Group has achieved fantastic results for learners over the years and the St Austell Campus is no exception. We’ve got fantastic relationships with local employers, excellent higher education progression routes and a responsive curriculum designed around local and national skills requirements. This new development is just the next step on that journey.”
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