Alongside Education Minister, Jeremy Miles MS, ColegauCymru was today delighted to attend the official opening of the Bridgend College STEAM Academy. This exciting new building will accommodate teaching, learning and support facilities for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
Partly funded by Welsh Government through the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme, we are grateful for their clear recognition of the need for such amenities to be able to deliver a 21st Century curriculum.
STEAM aims to transform the learning experience of students, and to ensure they are taught in classrooms and workshops with technologies that are fit for the future.
ColegauCymru Deputy Chair and Bridgend College Principal Simon Pirotte OBE said
"These facilities help to raise aspirations, enhance the learning experience and deliver excellent teaching environments where our students can thrive and grow. We wanted to create inclusive spaces where our staff and students feel a sense of pride and belonging; spaces where people can truly be all that they can be”
ColegauCymru Chief Executive Iestyn Davies added,
"The opening of this fantastic space is both timely and needed. As we emerge from the effects of both Brexit and the Covid19 pandemic, it’s essential that our further education colleges have the appropriate support and funding to allow students to thrive and succeed, which in turn will help to rebuild and grow the Welsh economy.”
Torfaen Learning Zone
On the same day Lynne Neagle MS, the constituency member for Torfaen and Deputy Minister for Health and Wellbeing officially marked the transfer of the Torfaen Learning Zone to Coleg Gwent.
The new Coleg Gwent Campus has been an initiative driven by strong collaboration between the College and Torfaen County Borough Council and will provide a range of post 16 education opportunities to learners from its location adjacent to Cwmbran town centre. Like the new facilities at Pencoed, this new building has been made possible by the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme Fund.
Further information
Bridgend College
State-of-the-art STEAM Academy officially opened
21 October 2021
Welsh Government
21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme
17 July 2019
