SOUTH Eastern Regional College’s new £12m campus recently received a ministerial inspection.
On arrival to the SPACE campus, First Minister Arlene Foster was welcomed by SERC principal and chief executive Mr Ken Webb and Dr Michael Malone, director of Curriculum and Information Services, who were both keen to highlight to the minister the exciting new campus and the vocational courses available.
The 3,650m2 facility, which was funded by the Department for Employment and Learning, provides high specification, bespoke accommodation for the Schools of Manufacturing and Electrical Engineering, Computer and Software Engineering, and Performing and Creative Arts.
Minister Foster met tutors and students as she toured some of the college’s engineering facilities and equipment at the Technology Innovation Centre which provides a business quality learning environment focusing on advanced engineering and innovation.
Principal Ken Webb led the tour and highlighted particular aspects of the new facility along the way, whilst explaining how it is providing an innovative curriculum to fill the well recorded technical skills gaps which are needed to drive the economy forward.
He said: “SERC offers a fantastic array of vocational courses and we are delighted to have the opportunity to highlight this to the First Minister. As an industry-leading college, we are immensely proud of all that we have achieved so far in redefining technical professional and indeed college education. Our new campus, with its first class learning and teaching facilities, is proof of our commitment to promoting and encouraging the next generation to consider the many excellent and varied career opportunities available in Further Education.”
First Minister Arlene Foster said: “This first class facility is providing the courses and it’s my aim to ensure that when young people leave this place they are able to get suitable jobs in their locality.
“I’m glad that during my time in the economy department, we brought more jobs to Northern Ireland than at any other time in our history. “However, we have more to do and colleges like this, working with local industries, are vital in achieving the skilled workforce necessary.”