Revealed: Sneak preview of new hi-tech campus for Dudley College

The new Dudley Advance II will be built alongside the £9 million Dudley Advance building that was opened earlier in the year.

The 37,000 sq ft build will include workshops, classrooms, project spaces, resource areas and welfare and support facilities around a four-storey building called The Hanger.

The building will be made up of several modern construction method training facilities, some of which are the first of their kind in the further education sector in the UK.

Examples include the multi-storey'hangar' in which students will learn how to fabricate and assemble buildings using the latest available technologies.

There will also be a 'digital centre' in which innovative Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital environment software packages will be used.

Other facilities include a 'carbon-friendly technology centre' where students will develop their building engineering skills.

The building is on target for completion by architects Metzin Architects the spring of 2017 and expected to create nearly 400 jobs and be used by upwards of 3,000 students.

Councillor Keiran Casey, vice-chairman of the development control committee, said that the build would be 'an improvement to the town centre and education'.

He added: "While the loss of car parking is arguable, there are other places to park in the town centre, and this centre will be an improvement."

Lowell Williams, Dudley College's Principal, added: "Dudley College is absolutely delighted that Advance II was given the go ahead at the planning committee.

"This is another landmark development for the both the college and Dudley itself. The fantastic new building will bring further life to the Dudley Learning Quarter complementing our existing facilities.

"More importantly with its focus on building technologies, digital engineering and fabrication, Advance II will provide high level skills training for employers and local people. More training, more jobs, more prosperity."