Wiltshire College & University Centre is investing £5.9 million in a major redevelopment of its Trowbridge campus, creating new digital and creative art studios and almost doubling the size of its construction workshops.
The college says the expansion is being driven by rising student numbers and growing demand for creative and construction courses, as well as the changing skills needs of employers across Wiltshire. Work is already under way, with the new teaching centres expected to be ready for the start of the 2027/28 academic year. The project is being supported by £4.8 million from the Department for Education, alongside investment from college reserves.
“This is a major investment for the Trowbridge campus and we’re excited by what this new provision will bring for future students,” said Steve Campion, the college’s Deputy Principal Corporate Resources. “This investment will allow us to meet the needs and aspirations of future students and enhance our teaching at Trowbridge, following recent investment at our Salisbury, Chippenham and Lackham campuses.”
New School for Digital and Creative Art
A new £4.3 million School for Digital and Creative Art will be created in an unused building alongside the Tech Trowbridge digital technology teaching hub, which was itself doubled in size last year to meet demand for places.
The development will include the construction of a mezzanine floor and feature a 385sq m open-plan art studio, IT and media suites and a state-of-the-art audiovisual studio for creating and recording sound and video content.
All of the campus’s creative art courses will move into the new centre, freeing up existing space for the expansion of construction training.
Construction facilities almost double in size
The new £1.6 million Construction Skills Centre will provide an additional 540.sq.m of multi-skills workshops, training bays and electrical workshops. The new facilities will be linked to the existing construction building through a shared entrance, significantly increasing the amount of space available for practical training.
The college has seen a steady rise in student numbers across its campuses, particularly at Trowbridge, while its links with local employers have helped identify areas where additional skills and training are needed.
“Ultimately, this expansion has been driven by increasing demand for construction and creative courses, as well as recognising the changing needs of employers,” said Steve.
He added that the additional construction training would help provide the skills required to support significant housebuilding planned across the local area.
“Across the whole campus we will be helping more students gain the knowledge and skills they need to progress to higher education, apprenticeships and employment, while improving their overall student experience.”
See the plans at Trowbridge Open Events
Prospective students and their families will be able to find out more about the redevelopment at Wiltshire College & University Centre’s Trowbridge Open Events on 30 September and 7 November.
The expansion forms part of an ongoing college-wide programme to develop and extend teaching capacity across Wiltshire.
Places for the Open Events can be booked at wiltshire.ac.uk/events.
