A £7m learning facility has been opened to boost Bristol and the West of England’s creative, tech, and media sectors.
South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS) has unveiled the Brunel Centre on its campus in Stoke Gifford, which increases the institution’s capacity to educate a further 400 students a year.
The development features a new industry standard TV studio and an e-sports gaming arena, which is intended to help learners develop entrepreneurial skills within video game design. It will also offer provisions for art, science and engineering courses.
The college said it will look to work alongside media sector leaders to develop future presenters, producers and digital content editors.
It added that the new facility would bolster its sports journalism programme for its students, who will have access to sports sites such as Bristol City Women and the Bristol Flyers basketball club, who play at the WISE campus.
The sustainability-minded development, built with exposed-timber interior walls, has been funded by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership through the Local Growth Fund, administered by the West of England Combined Authority.
Sara-Jane Watkins, SGS college principal said the Brunel Centre would help to supply the region’s “booming” digital media sector with a supply of talented new recruits.
Ms Watkins said: “We are really excited about the talent that Brunel is going to enable to develop and the impact that our future learners will have across the region.”
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West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris visited the facility as part of its formal launch. Mr Norris said the building would help to unlock the potential of a new generation of engineers, scientists, technicians and creatives.
Nr Norris said: “I visited this wonderful new learning centre earlier this year when it was still being built - and loved the bright, airy space. It’s so exciting it is now ready for the students.
“This is exactly the type of facility where their talents can be nurtured, and their confidence can soar. What an amazing place to be able to study.”
Richard Bonner, chair of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, added the Brunel Centre would help people to acquire the skills and qualifications needed for changing workplaces.
Mr Bonner said: “This brilliant new facility will inspire the next generation with their future careers and help to protect and secure jobs by providing opportunities for many people across the West of England, as we work together to secure our region’s economic recovery.”
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