Building Work Begins In Style

Kevin Brennan, Minister for Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer Affairs visited Barnsley College to celebrate the beginning of the construction work which will transform the iconic pile of rubble, where the main Barnsley campus once stood, into an inspirational 21st century building.

Present at the event were the great and good of Barnsley who have worked in partnership with the College to ensure Barnsley received the funding for the new build; Jeff Ennis MP, Eric Illsley MP, Steve Houghton, Leader of the Council and BMBC's Chief Executive, Phil Coppard were all instrumental in the success of the College gaining the funding. The contractors and consultants who have worked closely with the College over the past year were also present: Miller construction, Jefferson Sheard Architects, WYG and AA Projects.

In a short ceremony Kevin Brennan MP stated the importance of FE Colleges and delight at Barnsley College commencing the work which it clearly merited. Kevin Brennan, Minister for Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer Affairs said:
"I'm pleased to be here in Barnsley today to cut the turf on the site of Barnsley College’s new main campus.
"New college facilities improve the lives of learners, regenerate communities and inspire local people to learn and develop. This new modern campus will equip those in the Barnsley area with the skills they need to get work and get on at work."

Barnsley College Principal, Colin Booth thanked Kevin Brennan MP for attending the event which he stated marked an exciting and important day for the College and the town of Barnsley.

Colin Booth, Principal said: "I often say that outstanding teaching and learning does not depend on bricks and mortar but on excellent and committed staff and students. This is shown over the past year with the great increase in our students success rates, in particular A-level results placing us in the top 10% of Colleges in the country. We have smashed all enrolment targets with over 4000 16-18 year olds and over 2000 adults currently studying at the College.Our students undertake inspirational activities and experiences, such as a hugely entertaining show in our theatre at Honeywell this week, where our students were performing alongside students from Los Angeles, Denmark, Wales, Cornwall and Brighton. Impressively this was in tandem with a synchronised show halfway across the world in Los Angeles.With our new state of the art building we will have a building that will inspire people and match our staff and students energy, vision and aspirations."

Following on from this Barnsley College's Media Department produced this impressive video covering the event.