A construction milestone has been reached on the £119m new campus projects for Cardiff and Vale College. The college's new Barry waterfront campus and its Advanced Technology Centre at Cardiff Airport have reached their highest structural points, a stage known in the construction industry as topping out.
New campuses for thousands of students
The waterfront campus, which will accommodate 900 students, is close to the college's existing ageing Colcot Road campus building. Its Advanced Technology Centre has been designed for 2,000 learners and more than 100 staff and is located adjacent to its International Centre for Aerospace Training.
The new centre will provide training focused on meeting the skills needs of employers, apprentices and those working in advanced technologies, while supporting the transition to net zero.
Funding and construction details
The campuses are being financed mainly through the Welsh Government's Mutual Investment Model (MIM), via the Welsh Education Partnership Company (WEPCo), with construction costs repaid over a 25-year period. The college's financial contribution to both projects will be around 19%, including proceeds from the sale of its existing Colcot Road campus site. It is the first time the Welsh Government has used MIM to fund a further education college project.
Both campuses have been designed to meet net zero ambitions and are being built by Bouygues UK. They are due to open in 2027 in time for the start of the next academic year in September.
Leaders mark the milestone
Cardiff and Vale College Group chief executive Mike James said: “We are delighted with the progress being made and to mark this important milestone for the two new campuses that will make a real difference to the communities of the Vale of Glamorgan and beyond. These developments reflect our commitment to creating high-quality learning environments for our community and employers, as well as our drive to invest in skills for the future.
“We now look forward to further engaging with young people, families, community groups and employers, ensuring all are part of the journey as these campuses take shape. When the doors open in September 2027, these spaces will belong to the communities they serve, delivering long-term educational, social and economic benefits for the Vale.”
Kevin McElroy, operations director at Bouygues UK, said: “Reaching this milestone is a testament to the strong, collaborative approach our partners have brought to this project. The commitment from all partners has been instrumental in delivering this transformational investment for Wales.
“These campuses represent a genuine partnership between education, industry and government – and that collaborative spirit extends to our on-site team, whose dedication has been crucial in bringing this vision to life. It's rewarding to be part of a project that will deliver world-class facilities for the next generation of engineers, manufacturers and sustainability experts, whilst also setting a benchmark as Wales's first net zero further education campus.”
