Official opening of our state-of-the-art Construction Centre

Spanning 3,000m², our new centre stands as the UK’s newest hub for teaching construction trades. It’s equipped with specialist workshops for plumbing, electrical, and renewable energy installation, alongside a Construction Lab, a VR learning suite, IT classrooms, and flexible teaching spaces. Designed with sustainability in mind, the building features advanced green technologies like air source heat pumps, solar PV panels, and bricks made entirely from recycled materials—a pioneering innovation in the UK.

During the opening, Daisy Cooper MP praised our efforts to prepare students for the future of construction. “We desperately need a construction workforce built for the next 10, 15 years,” she said. “I really hope this opening will play a central role in achieving that.”

Our Principal and CEO, Andrew Slade, shared his excitement about the versatility of the new centre. “With technology advancing rapidly, we need spaces that can evolve alongside industry demands, ensuring we remain at the forefront of training future plumbers, electricians, and engineers,” he explained.

Deputy Principal Claire Dolan took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of local business partnerships in student development. “Our T Level students require 300 hours of work experience over two years to complete their qualifications,” she said. “By partnering with local firms, we can ensure they graduate with practical knowledge and the confidence to excel in their careers.”

The national recognition of our Construction Centre adds to the excitement. We’re one of only six colleges in the country chosen to partner with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Home Builders Federation (HBF) in their prestigious ‘Partner a College’ project. Through this initiative, our students will gain invaluable hands-on experience with top housebuilders in the southeast, preparing them to play a vital role in delivering the government’s ambitious target of 1.5 million new homes over the next five years.

Claire Dolan added, “Our students are learning in one of the newest college facilities in the country. Combined with on-the-job experience, they’ll be among the most qualified employees of the future, ready to harness emerging technologies and tools to drive the UK construction industry forward.”

The opening ceremony brought together representatives from local companies like Morgan Sindall and RDT Architects, who help us provide critical work experience opportunities. Collaborating with RG Carter Construction, Fusion Project Management, and DLA Architecture, we’ve created a facility that not only meets today’s needs but anticipates the challenges of tomorrow.

This new Construction Centre reflects our unwavering commitment to providing outstanding vocational education. It’s a cornerstone of our mission to shape the next generation of skilled construction professionals and ensure they’re equipped to lead in a rapidly evolving industry.