College's £5.9m revamp includes construction studio

A college will undergo a £5.9m revamp due to rising student numbers and increased interest in construction and creative courses.

New studios, media suites and an open plan art studio are among the improvements planned for Wiltshire College and University's Trowbridge Campus. Construction workshops will also double in size to allow space for more students.

"Ultimately, this expansion has been driven by increasing demand for construction and creative courses, as well as recognising the changing needs of employers," said Steve Campion, the college's deputy principal of corporate resources.

The revamp is being paid for via £4.8m from the Department of Education (DfE) and from college reserves.

Campion says the college's close links with local employers have helped identify skills gaps in Wiltshire and the surrounding area.

He added: "This construction expansion will support the skills needed to meet the challenge of significant local housebuilding in the area.

"Across the whole campus we will be helping more students gain the knowledge and skills they need to progress to higher education, apprenticeships and employment, while improving their overall student experience."

The college's new Construction Skills Centre, to cost about £1.6m to build, will feature multi-skills workshops, training bays and electrical workshops.

A new School for Digital and Creative Art will cost £4.3m, with IT and media suites planned alongside space for people to record sound and video content.

Andrew Murrison, MP for the area, said he was "delighted" at the expansion news, which would help young people gain skills "for the jobs of the future".

He added the investment in construction trades would "help to fill shortages" and barriers that deny young people "worthwhile, well-paid work".

The new studios and wider redevelopment are expected to be completed for the start of the 2027/28 academic year.

Plans will be on show at the college's Open Events in Trowbridge on 30 September and 7 November.

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