College gets go-ahead for £3.5m automotive training facility

Plans by Derby College Group to extend one of its sites to create a workshop for engineering students have been given the green light.

Earlier this year, the college lodged proposals with Derby City Council for the extension at the rear of the current Stephenson Building at its Roundhouse campus on Pride Park.

Now, the city council’s planning committee have given the scheme the go-ahead.

The two-storey motor vehicle facility, which is due to open in September next year, has been made possible thanks to £3.5 million from the Government’s Post 16 Capacity Fund.

Speaking back in July, when it was first awarded the cash, Steven Elliott, the college’s head of technology apprenticeships, said: “This facility will help strengthen the automotive skills of today’s learners and support the education of the next generation.

“We want to inspire anyone who is interested in working in the automotive industry as it is an ever-changing and exciting area to work in. It really has evolved and it’s now an extremely technical industry which requires an abundance of new skills.

“By creating this propose-built training centre, DCG will be perfectly placed to meet the needs of the learners and of the employers.”

The new facility is a response to changing automotive technology, including the evolving requirements for electric vehicles.

The college said it will meet local and national skills requirements and is reflective of learner demand.

The building itself will be built in the most efficient and sustainable way in order to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.

To accomplish this, the construction will be future-proofed and will incorporate air-source heat pumps, thermal-resistant materials and solar panels.

Speaking back in July, Iain Baldwin, director of estate at Derby College Group, said: “The building will be in the region of 1,150 metres and will incorporate facilities such as high-level lifts, and a double workshop and will be designed to integrate with the existing Stephenson Building.

“And the construction will be environmentally friendly incorporating the latest building techniques and materials.”