Dorset LEP investment boosts facilities at Bournemouth & Poole College

The works have significantly enhanced the quality of the facilities and learning environment as well as reducing the building’s carbon footprint and increasing its energy efficiency. New welding bays, tyre changing facilities and a motorcycle maintenance practical area included as are AutoCAD classrooms and 3D printing facilities.

Delighted to launch the facilities, Gordon Page, chairman of Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership said, “It is paramount that our educational establishments are able to respond to the increasing demand from local employers for highly skilled engineering and advanced manufacturing personnel. Bournemouth and Poole College’s newly refurbished Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing block will help to improve Dorset’s education and training, creating a more highly skilled and educated workforce, which in turn will boost productivity and employment in the region.”

Diane Grannell, principal of Bournemouth & Poole College said, “Over the last couple of years, we have spent around £1.3m on buildings and equipment for engineering. We are particularly grateful to Dorset LEP for providing the capital funding to cover almost half of that amount. This has enabled the external refurbishment of this entire building and the internal refurbishment of the main engineering workshop.

“I feel proud of this project which is another public demonstration of our college’s commitment to supporting not only the Engineering sector, but the whole STEM agenda in Dorset.”

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership anticipates the funding at Bournemouth & Poole College’s advanced manufacturing and engineering facilities will lead to: the creation of 30 direct jobs, 120 indirect and 20 construction jobs plus the training of 354 engineering apprentices and 227 full time students annually.