Bournemouth and Poole: College's engineering and advanced-manufacturing facilities unveiled

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) recently officially opened Bournemouth and Poole College’s newly-refurbished engineering and advanced-manufacturing facilities which have received a major upgrade thanks to a £565,150 investment secured by Dorset LEP through the Dorset Growth Deal.

The works, which have significantly enhanced the quality of the facilities and learning environment as well as reducing the building’s carbon footprint and increasing its energy efficiency, included cladding of external walls, replacements of windows, roof repairs and new lighting. In addition there have been classroom renovations including 16 new welding bays, a motor-vehicle practical-teaching area including tyre-changing facilities and a  motorcycle-maintenance practical area. There has also been investment in the lathe and milling areas, AutoCAD classrooms and 3D printing facilities.

Gordon Page, chairman of Dorset LEP, said: “It is paramount that our educational establishments are able to respond to the increasing demand from local employers for highly-skilled engineering and advanced-manufacturing personnel.  Bournemouth and Poole College’s newly-refurbished engineering and advanced-manufacturing block will help to improve Dorset’s education and training, creating a more highly-skilled and educated workforce, which in turn will boost productivity and employment in the region.”

Diane Grannell, principal of Bournemouth and Poole College, said: “Over the last couple of years, we have spent around £1.3 million on buildings and equipment for engineering.”

Dorset LEP anticipates that the funding at the College will lead to the creation of 30 direct jobs, 120 indirect and 20 construction jobs, and the training of 354 engineering apprentices and 227 full-time students annually.