• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

North East Connected

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Step inside the future of Further Education

CaptureONE of the region’s leading colleges today invites the public to take a virtual step inside its new multi-million-pound campus.

Progress has continued apace on Sunderland College’s brand new £29m City Campus, and people can now “visit” this state of the art facility, thanks to a virtual tour, which is available online at http://www.sunderlandcollege.ac.uk/citycampus

The amazing walk-through has been commissioned by the college to provide people and businesses with the first tantalising glimpse of the spectacular new city centre complex, as well as to excite students who will be making full use of the Park Lane-based campus and entice those still considering their options.

Set to become the college’s hub for its extensive range of professional and technical courses, City Campus will further add to Sunderland’s city centre offer, following last year’s opening of Keel Square, the recent announcement of funding to turn the Old Fire Station into an arts hub and Siglion’s plans to redevelop the former Vaux site.

Sunderland College principal and chief executive, Ellen Thinnesen, said: “I feel incredibly lucky to take over the reins at Sunderland College at such an exciting time. City Campus puts us where we want to be, at the heart of Sunderland, and to be able to provide people with this virtual showcase of just some of what it will offer is fantastic.

“City Campus is part of Sunderland College, but its impact, both educational and economic, will be felt across the city and wider region as a whole. We are proud to play a major role in city centre regeneration with the creation of this iconic building that will drive change and growth by bringing thousands of students and a number of commercial facilities to the city centre.  And it is a space that will really raise the bar in terms of the standard of facilities it will provide to students young and old.”

The campus will host engineering, manufacturing, construction trade, automotive trade, travel and tourism, hair and beauty, catering and hospitality courses.

Soon to be home to 2,000 learners and more than 120 employees, it also boasts a spa, hairdressers, barbers, bakery, restaurant and travel agents, all accessible to the public.

The building, spans 135,000 square feet, and features state-of-the-art facilities and industry-standard equipment offering more than 150 programmes, including 16-18, adult and higher education provision.  Its arrival follows investment in 2014, that saw Sunderland College expand its Bede Campus with two new state-of-the-art buildings – home to sport and visual performing arts spaces – worth a combined total of £22million.

City Campus is being funded through the Skills Funding Agency (SFA), Sunderland City Council and college reserves. The land has been secured from Homes and Communities Agency.

By admin