Topping out of college’s tech centre another step forward in creating new ‘Silicon Bay’

ATOPPING out ceremony marked the moment South Devon College’s £17 million Hi-Tech and Digital Centre on the outskirts of Paignton reached its highest point.

Representatives from the various college teams were there along with students, governors and stakeholders from a wide range of partner organisations who have helped bring this project to fruition.

The audience heard speeches from South Devon College principal Stephen Criddle OBE; chair of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership Steve Hindley; director of education Fujitsu UK & Ireland Ash Merchant; Torbay mayor Gordon Oliver and Kevin Foster MP, reflecting on the major recent investment Torbay and South Devon has seen within the hi-tech and digital sectors, and the importance for future skills and careers.

Due to open in September 2019, the innovative centre will provide a facility for further education and training support towards ever-expanding hi-tech, manufacturing, digital and creative sectors across Torbay, South Devon and wider regions.

The Hi-Tech and Digital Centre is the latest development in the college’s

The £17m Hi-Tech and Digital Centre is taking shape, to the delight of South Devon College principal Stephen Criddle higher education and skills masterplan, working towards future university status, with further proposals being considered including future development of student residential accommodation.

Funding has been secured from a number of partner organisations including the Heart of the South West LEP, Higher Education Funding Council for Education, European Re- gional Development Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, private investors and the college’s own reserves.

The centre is being constructed by leading local employer Midas Construction, part of the Midas Group.

Mr Criddle said: “Recent government and consultancy reports have highlighted that this country suffers from a digital skills shortage.

“I’m therefore delighted to see the great progress being made through strong partnership working with all involved in the development and realisation of this visionary building.

“The centre will act as a focal point for increasing numbers of hi-tech and digital sector students across Torbay and the wider region, with world-class facilities providing the creative environment for inspiring and enabling future generations of talent to excel. This resource will play a significant part in helping support the growth ambitions of dynamic and expanding local employers in the photonics and wider digital employment sectors.”

Mr Merchant added: “Technology is moving forward at lightning speed and is transforming the way many organisations – like us – operate and interact with the wider world. In this digitally-driven economy, the skills and experience employers are looking for are changing, this new centre is an incredible way to give young people the digital skills and experience that will define their future careers.”

Mr Oliver said: “My links with South Devon College go back to my days as a student and also as a member of the board for 20 years. I support the continued growth of South Devon College and its continuing influence for new technology in the digital age. The growth helps to provide essential further wider education and expanding job opportunities here in Torbay and the wider South West region”.

Torbay MP Kevin Foster added: “This milestone marks a significant moment not just for this major investment, but for the generations of students who will benefit from being able to access well-paid skilled jobs following being trained here. The Silicon Bay is becoming a reality.”