IT labs , an ophthalmic dispensing suite , a prep room , a clinical suite , a real-life work environment with consulting and testing booths , a collaboration area , and academic teaching spaces .
“ We are thrilled that this incredible new learning environment is now open to our staff and students , and I ’ m sure you ’ ll agree it is a wonderful new addition to both Bradford College ’ s estate and the resources available to the local community .
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-Sarah Cooper
Bradford College Director of People Services , Sarah Cooper , addressed invited guests , which included employers from digital and ophthalmic industries such as Specsavers and the Association of British Dispensing Opticians , as well as representatives from Bradford Council and the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce .
After speeches , guests enjoyed a tour of the new cutting-edge Garden Mills facilities which concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Bradford College CEO & Principal , Chris Webb .
Garden Mills is one of several current Bradford College capital developments . Over the last two years , Bradford College secured nearly £ 32 million in funding , which is being used to enhance , refurbish , and build aspirational new facilities in the heart of Bradford .
Other construction projects include newly completed vocational T Level facilities in the College ’ s David Hockney Building , overseen by Sewell Construction and funded by £ 3.5 million from the Department for Education ( T Level Capital Fund – Wave 5 ). New facilities include a commercial barbering salon , nail bar , collaborative lecture spaces , TV studio , media editing and recording studios , and a remodel of The Grove training restaurant .
Work on the College ’ s purposebuilt Future Technologies Centre is also well underway with Phase 2 of the scheme led by contractor Morgan Sindall . This new site will support the growth of technology and low-carbon skills capability within West Yorkshire and be the home of modern automotive and digital engineering curricula , such as electric / hybrid vehicles and advanced manufacturing .
“ We ’ re delighted that Garden Mills is now ready for staff and students . It is an essential part of our estates strategy and perfectly demonstrates our ambition of opening up pioneering student careers that support regional growth .”
The College ’ s Automotive , Digital and Engineering Department will relocate to the new premises once completed in 2026 . Students will use industry-relevant facilities to gain skills in new technologies for careers in a fast-moving sector . The project was made possible by a £ 15 million investment from the Department for Education ’ s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund ( FECTF ), boosted by a £ 2m College contribution .
The Future Technologies Centre , Garden Mills , and T Level facilities all form part of Bradford College ’ s ambitious estates strategy . The capital masterplan centres around building facilities that open up pioneering student careers and support regional economic growth .
Find out more about the Garden Mills project and other ongoing capital projects : www . bradfordcollege . ac . uk / capitalprojects
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