A MAJOR refurbishment of engineering and advanced manufacturing facilities has been unveiled at Bournemouth and Poole College.

The facilities received a major upgrade thanks to a £565,150 investment secured by the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership through the Dorset Growth Deal.

The works included revamping the welding bay facility with the addition of 16 new welding bays, a motor vehicle practical teaching area including tyre changing facilities and a motorcycle maintenance practical area.

There was also investment in the lathe and milling areas, AutoCAD classrooms and 3D printing facilities.

Gordon Page, chairman of Dorset LEP said: “We are delighted to launch these excellent facilities, funding for which has been secured by Dorset LEP through the Dorset Growth Deal.

“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.

“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.”

Dorset LEP says it anticipates the funding at Bournemouth and Poole College’s facilities will lead to the creation of 30 direct jobs, 120 indirect and 20 construction jobs. As well as training 354 engineering apprentices and 227 full time students annually.

College principal Diane Grannell 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.”