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College Pushes Ahead with NEW Higher Skills Centre

Chestnut Road CampusHigher Skills Centre 1Higher Skills Centre 2

This week the College celebrated planning approval success, as Eastleigh Borough Council's local area committee approved plans to develop the town's very own Higher Skills Centre, alongside the second phase of enhancements to the existing college campus.

The venture will see the Borough benefit, not only from a state-of-the-art specialist vocational college, but also a purpose built Higher Skills Centre that will meet the growing needs of the community, offering local people a facility to further their skills through higher education and training.

Plans to build the new £13m Higher Skills Centre, which will replace the aging Rookwood School, were submitted following extensive consultation with the local communities over a month long period. The centre, which will be accessed from a new entrance on Woodside Avenue, will provide local facilities for adults to develop higher skills qualifications, equipping the local population with the expertise required for employment in the region.

Eastleigh College's main campus will continue its already successful improvement plan, with the second phase of redevelopment, enhancing existing vocational facilities to meet the needs of tomorrow's students.

Commenting on the planning approval, Tony Lau-Walker, CEO of Eastleigh College said:

"The development of a Higher Skills Centre is a great opportunity to bring higher education and training into Eastleigh. Building upon improvements already made to the existing Chestnut Avenue site, with the development of our technology centre, Eastleigh College hopes to develop its vocational offering and enhance facilities to meet the future needs of the community, making Eastleigh a better place to learn."

Residents have welcomed the multi-million pound plans to develop both projects, with many attending public consultation events held by the College. It is hoped that the majority of the £40m capital requirement will be funded through the Learning and Skills Council.

Rob Jarvis, Finance Director of Eastleigh College, said:

"With outline planning permission agreed, we are positive that the College can develop our provision in line with local needs. Although we are currently awaiting Learning & Skills Council approval on funding, we already have contingency plans in place to continue enhancements of the College should there be a delay."

Eastleigh College continues its role as a key partner in the development of the region, supporting the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) initiative in promoting economic success by seeking to create a diverse economy where business, enterprise and individuals can flourish, underpinned by modern skills.

Release date 19/06/2009

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