Hants colleges put £12m into new training facilities for business, healthcare, early years & more

Students at South Hampshire College Group are set to benefit from new state-of-the-art learning facilities thanks to a £12 million investment.

It comes after the merger of the Southampton, Eastleigh and Fareham colleges and means students can pursue technical and professional courses in new Centres of Excellence, gaining both theoretical and hands-on experience.

Earlier this year, Fareham already welcomed significant investment with the opening of its multimillion-pound South Coast Institute of Technology (IoT) at CEMAST, Lee-on-the-Solent.

VR room

The IoT specialises in robotics, electronics, advanced engineering and manufacturing, maritime, and digital.

From this September, Eastleigh will have Centres of Excellence in business and finance, health and social care, bricklaying, and electrical installation while Southampton will host digital, early years, engineering, and motor vehicle.

Andrew Kaye, CEO of South Hampshire College Group, said the group was committed to enhancing the quality of education and training.

“Our impressive new facilities are tailored to enhance the learning experience across various career-focused courses, including T levels, apprenticeships, and higher technical qualifications.

“Healthcare students will get hands-on experience, with access to an elderly care mock flat, brand-new purpose-built classrooms and a healthcare ward.

“Our early years and childcare students will benefit from a positive and colourful environment which boasts practical teaching and breakout spaces, a kitchenette area, a sensory room and nappy change facilities.

Early years practical space

“For those doing business, we offer collaborative classrooms, interview rooms, a boardroom, office spaces, breakout areas, and study booths, while our digital and IoT facilities are equipped with IT classrooms featuring dual screens, tech labs, a virtual-reality (VR) room, project rooms and breakout spaces.”

• For more information or to apply for a course, visit shcg.ac.uk

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