Makeover of Birmingham Metropolitan College campus is revealed
This is the first glimpse inside a revamped college campus in Great Barr which is undergoing an £8.5 million transformation.
The project to rejuvenate the James Watt campus of Birmingham Metropolitan College will create new teaching space for learning radical new courses.
College bosses want to offer a range of qualifications in the growing 'green' technology industry to students and swell the numbers signing up for courses.
Work on the first stage of the revamp has included a new reception area, hall and learning resources centre with improved access.
Now contractors are on the main stage of the project to create a new teaching building – the Sustainable Energy Centre – on the site.
Birmingham Metropolitan College executive director of estates John Starmer said: "The first phase of the redevelopment of the James Watt Campus in Great Barr is now complete and students are benefitting from new break out areas as well as brand new teaching and learning spaces equipped with state of the art IT and digital technology.
"The revamped reception area has improved accessibility and we have updated the exterior look of the building with new cladding.
"Work is ongoing with construction company Speller Metcalfe to create our £8.5 million new Sustainable Energy Centre which will be opening shortly."
At the moment there are more than 2,000 students using the campus – but college bosses say this could rise by 15 per cent in the future.
The new centre, which aims to reduce the college's carbon footprint, will be environmentally friendly and will create heat and power through solar technology, electricity water.
New courses will also teach students skills in emerging green industries with work on biomass boilers, ground source heat pumps, solar PV and thermal power among those on offer.
Construction company Speller Metcalfe is working on the project and is combining its role as contractor with providing masterclass sessions for a range of students studying construction trades.
The Worcester based company has also recruited five construction apprentices and provided work experience placements for students as well as sourcing up to 70 per cent of its sub-contractor workforce from the local community.
Steve Speller, joint- managing director at Speller Metcalfe, said: "As a company with a clear focus on sustainability we understand the importance of building for the future and it is fantastic that the college is really considering their environmental impact for the longer term, which will also provide a sustainable legacy for the students who study here."
An open event took place last night to give visitors the chance to see the new facilities.
