Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) has secured outline business case approval for a major £100m investment to deliver two new campuses.
The employment focused further education provider, which is the third biggest in the 海角视频 with annual revenues of £120m, has identified a waterfront site in Barry for a new general learning campus, alongside an advanced technology learning campus at Cardiff Airport. The Barry Waterfront located scheme would replace its existing and ageing Colcot Road campus in the town. The college already has the freehold interest in the two sites.
The proposed campuses, which together will provide 200,000 sq ft of learning space, would be financed via the Welsh Government’s mutual investment model (MIM) where finance secured by the appointed construction partner would be repaid over a 25-year period by the Cardiff Bay administration. The college will contribute 19% to the financing cost, which will be offset by the sale of its Colcot Road campus site. The MIM will also finance the associated long-term maintenance costs of the campuses. The Welsh Government will also fund all of the associated design costs.
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Following outline business approval from the Welsh Government, a full business case will be submitted to ministers in the coming month.
The two campuses will accommodate 1,700 full time students to meet the demographic growth in the post-16 population in the Vale of Glamorgan. They will also serve a similar number of part-time students and apprentices.
Subject to sign off and the relevant planning consents, the Barry campus would open in autumn 2026 and the airport campus in the spring of 2027. The proposed Advanced Technology Centre at the airport would be adjacent to its existing International Centre for Aerospace Training (ICAT). It would prepare young learners for the future world of work and upskilling existing adult workers in key growth areas. These will include artificial intelligence (AI), composites, rapid prototyping and manufacture, advanced design, electronics and new approaches to net zero renewable technologies such as wind, wave, nuclear and e-fuel.
The campuses would be the first new further education net zero carbon developments in Wales. CAVC will now move into the planning phase before construction of the campuses can begin.
The exact split on the 200,000 sq ft of new campus space has yet be determined, but the Advanced Technology Centre will be larger as it will require workspace for its technology focused curriculum.
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CAVC chief executive Mike James said: “We are delighted to announce our commitment to this £100m project in education and training for the Vale of Glamorgan, which will have real significance for the economy of the wider region and beyond.
“The Advanced Technology Centre will have regional importance, delivering high-level skills and supporting the Bro Tathan business park, Cardiff Airport and the proposed green energy development at Aberthaw, alongside employers from across Wales. It is with real pleasure that I can say that we are delivering on our commitment to provide first-class teaching and learning environments for learners and the community in the Vale of Glamorgan.”
Vale of Glamorgan MS Jane Hutt said: “Thank you to everyone at Cardiff and Vale College for their commitment to learners for training and education in the Vale of Glamorgan which has led to these inspiring plans providing world class facilities in partnership with Welsh Government and the Vale of Glamorgan Council.”
Lis Burnett, leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “This is a really exciting announcement that represents a significant landmark for education in the Vale and Wales as a whole.
“These new campuses will provide Vale learners with ultra-modern facilities and the skills necessary to lead the way in a number of exciting and emerging areas.
“We are proud that such cutting-edge developments will be located in the Vale and that there will be an emphasis on environmental sustainability and alternative sources of energy. This aligns perfectly with the council’s long-term aims and our project zero commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030.”
CAVC's biggest campus is in the centre of Cardiff.