BROCKENHURST College staff were joined by students, architects, funding representatives and builders for the new college STEM centre’s official ground breaking ceremony.
Despite wet weather, Principal Di Roberts picked up her spade alongside Chair of Governors Dave Yates to signal the start of the building phase.
The new centre, for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) will feature high-tech classrooms and workspaces.
It will be ready for the 2016 autumn term, complete with IBM’s technology lab, which is designed to aid collaborative learning.
The principal said: "We are pleased that the building work has started. We are quite literally building a better future for our learners and community."
Mr Yates added: "It’s wonderful to see everyone here today celebrating such an important project coming to fruition. This inspirational facility will only enhance the already outstanding STEM teaching at Brock.”
First year engineering student Mark Kostyrenko, who will be among the first to use the new centre, said: "I’m really looking forward to working in the new facility next year - it’s going to be such a privilege.
"Studying at Brock has been a great experience so far and I think learning in the new centre will help broaden my view of engineering."
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