11:10pm Tuesday 31st March 2009
By Claire Borley
LEARNING has taken on a whole new meaning in Thurrock with the arrival of a new campus. The Thurrock Learning Campus, in High Street, Grays, had its official opening last week after taking in students in January.
However, this is learning with a difference as all courses offered at the new site are geared to provide the skills needed by the local economy and regeneration plans.
The campus has been set up by a partnership of education and skills bodies, led by South East Essex College, based in Southend.
More than 90 students, both young and old, are already enjoying the opportunities to learn that the site provides. They are studying in four main areas – construction and the built environment; creative and cultural skills; retail and business and information; and communication technologies (ICT).
The £4.4million campus, near Grays station, was officially opened by Sir David Melville, the Skills Envoy for the Thames Gateway.
Sir David said: “This campus is right in the heart of the Thames Gateway, the largest regeneration area in Europe, and education is a key driver in the regeneration and development of local skills and jobs. This building is part of a whole series of developments across the Gateway which are driving this region forward for everyone.”
Despite not even being open six months ago, the campus already has lofty ambitions to expand.
The plan is the current building will be replaced in 2012 with a 29,000sq m permanent building that will cost in the region of £100million and have enough room for thousands of learners.
The permanent and much larger campus, proposed for 2012, will offer a wide range of education and training but specialise in sectors key to the economy of the area.
These are the creative and cultural industries and ICT, linking closely with the Royal Opera House’s production facilities and the National Skills Academy for the Creative and Cultural Skills with its national hub in Thurrock; Construction and the Built Environment with the proximity to the Olympics site and London; Ports, Logistics and Transport reflecting Thurrock’s position as a key transport gateway; retail and lifestyle services reflecting the proximity to Lakeside and professional and enterprise services.
All the areas reflect key current sectors and future growth and development opportunities for Thurrock within the Thames Gateway area.
Principal and chief executive of South East Essex College, Jan Hodges said: “This is an exciting day. As we formally open the phase one building, it is an important milestone towards the vision we have for a permanent new further and higher education campus here in the heart of Grays town centre. It will transform the opportunities for local people – both young people and adults – contributing to the regeneration of Thurrock.”
She added: “We currently have 95 students and a very healthy number of applications already for the next academic year.
“I am a passionate believer in the benefits of partnership working and this project is an excellent example of what can be achieved by many people having a strong vision and passion for something and working hard together to turn that vision into a reality.”
The project has a wide range of partners involved, including Thurrock and Basildon College as well as the education and delivery partners who are part of phase one, including Palmers College, Barking College, the National Construction College, Anglia Ruskin University, the University of East London and the University of Essex.
Mrs Hodges said: “They will help us to ensure we deliver learning of the highest quality and it truly meets the needs of the learners, employers and community of Thurrock.
“Phase two will be an innovative multi-user campus offering further, higher, and university education courses, adult community learning, services to employers and business, apprenticeships and work-based learning.
“It’s being designed with extensive facilities, easily accessed and open to the community.
“It’s about raising aspirations and will enhance not only the learning opportunities but the life of the town and bring higher skills, and also contribute positively to the economic regeneration of the area.”
The new campus, was built in response to a Learning and Skills Council competition to develop new provision in Thurrock. The new facility complements the Nova Centre for Apprenticeships and Work Based Learning that was opened in Thurrock in 2007, also in Grays town centre.
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