We have been awarded £16m of government funding to transform our campus.

The money, from the Department for Education’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund, will allow us to completely replace the main building.

The £20m project (the £16m will be combined with an existing, £4m budget) will result in a sustainable new purpose-built facility for technical and vocational education.

This will support priority growth sectors for Harrogate and North Yorkshire such as advanced manufacturing, low carbon construction, retrofit, sustainable energy and bioeconomy, health science and hospitality.

The energy-efficient new building will include a workshop unit that provides large scale facilities aligned to industry needs. This will complement the college’s existing tech centre which is home to its motor vehicle, electrical, joinery and welding workshops.

A complete rebuild focused on supporting key sectors

Danny Wild, Principal at Harrogate College, welcomed the funding and said it will go a long way in improving the college’s facilities.

“Being able to work towards having a net zero carbon building, alongside a learning environment that will help our students progress on to university or the workplace, is central to our strategic priorities. This funding will be key to helping us achieve this.

“The development will also help us deliver a wide range of T Level qualifications which will not only close the skills gaps, but reinforce the government’s nationwide plan to strengthen technical education and give it the credibility it deserves.

“This upgrade will strengthen the work we are doing with businesses in the district to deliver an employer-led curriculum. It will also support Harrogate Council’s aims of prioritising and supporting ‘good growth’ and achieving a sustainable economy.”

As part of the project, there are also plans to install green electric-based heating systems, as well as a soft landscaped social hub, which will improve biodiversity on site.

The £1.5bn Department for Education’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund was set up last year to pay for upgrades to further education buildings.

Harrogate College is hosting a special event to help members of the local construction industry find out about funding and training opportunities.

The CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) funding awareness session takes place at the college on Thursday 26 May.

The event will give attendees the chance to find out about what support, in terms of grants, funding and training, is available.

The session runs from 8.30am to 9.30am and will include three short presentations including from John Long, of CITB, and Lorraine Kirbitson, from North Yorkshire Construction Training Group.

A representative from the college will also give an overview of the courses and apprenticeships that we offer, and show visitors the facilities that are available in our construction department.

Those attending will also be able to find out how to access free training at the college, which is being funded by Zero Carbon Harrogate, later in the year.

The event is open to anyone working in the trades. To reserve your place contact Lorraine on 07713 034917 (email lorraine@nyctg.co.uk) or book on Eventbrite here.

Harrogate College is pleased to be hosting this event as part of its ongoing support for local building sector and our commitment to responding to employers’ needs. If you would like to be updated about similar events and training, join the Harrogate College Employers’ Network.