College reports progress on key upgrades to facilities

Derby College Group has reported good progress on three key projects, which will enhance learning facilities for its students.

The schemes currently being worked on at the college’s Roundhouse Campus, on Pride Park, are the East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) scheme, an automotive engineering facility and the refurbishment of its hair and beauty facilities.

The EMIoT development involves the expansion of the existing Stephenson Building.

When complete, it will add 1,100 square metres to house new facilities for construction, engineering, digital and leadership training.

Scheduled for completion next month, the building will be net zero and will feature cutting-edge technology, allowing teaching to be carried out on-site or anywhere in the world.

The EMIoT is a partnership between Derby College Group, the University of Derby, Loughborough College, and Loughborough University.

In a statement, Derby College Group said: “In collaboration with businesses, it will create and deliver high-quality technical training qualifications; designed to develop careers and address skills gaps, to boost the economy regionally and beyond.”

In addition to the EMIoT project, works have now begun to the rear of the Stephenson Building adding another similar square meterage to accommodate the new Automotive Engineering facility.

The new state-of-the-art facilities will ensure that Derby College Group is equipped to provide training for the changing automotive technologies, including the evolving requirements for electric and hydrogen vehicles.

The college is aiming to partially occupy the building by the end of October.

Finally, works continue to accommodate the T Levels Wave 5 Hair & Beauty refurbishment on the first and ground floors of the Stephenson Building.

Scheduled to be completed in September, it will involve the reconfiguration of two large rooms at the front of the building.

The beauty department will relocate to the ground floor and all hairdressing will be consolidated on the first floor with Level 1, 2 and 3 courses all being delivered in a centralised area allowing an improved and more efficient use of the combined resources.