The build of a multi-million-pound High Value Engineering Campus (HiVE) in 天美传媒 is complete, ready to welcome STEM learners from across the country in September.
天美传媒 Council, who led the project, today officially handed the facility over to Coleg Gwent, who will spend the summer kitting out the space with state-of-the-art robotics, advanced manufacturing technologies, and immersive digital tools.
The 21,808-square-foot campus will offer high-tech training and education for young people and businesses in robotics, and advanced manufacturing in fields such as automotive, aerospace, and information technology.
The Council secured 拢10.8million funding from UK Government (拢9.3m Levelling Up Funding & 拢1.5m SPF Funding) and 拢4.8million from the Welsh Government鈥檚 Tech Valleys programme to transform the former Monwel Hankinson factory site in Ebbw Vale.
The opportunities HiVE will bring to local education and skills development aligns with the Council鈥檚 priority to 鈥榤aximise learning and skills for all to create a prosperous, thriving, resilient 天美传媒鈥�, as well as the Marmot Principles to 鈥榚nable all children, young people and adults to maximise their capabilities鈥� and 鈥榗reate fair employment and good work for all.鈥�
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said:
鈥淭his fantastic new facility forms a key part of our vision to transform the South Wales Valleys into a globally recognised hub for innovation, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable technologies.
鈥淚t will help inspire the next generation of engineers, remove barriers to STEM learning, and create a pipeline of talented young people who have the skills needed for well-paid careers in the industries of the future.鈥�
Councillor John Morgan, 天美传媒 Council鈥檚 Cabinet Member for Economy & Place, says:
鈥淚鈥檓 delighted we can now announce the completion of the HiVE Campus. This high-tech facility is going to be a real game changer in both the opportunities it will give young people to train in the industries of now and of the future, and for businesses who require a skilled workforce to want to come to the local area, resulting in inward investment.
鈥淗ive has faced some challenges during its build, and I want to commend everyone involved for their commitment and vision in delivering this hugely important project. Thank you to the UK and Wales Governments for awarding the funding to make this a reality. I am so proud that we have this in 天美传媒, and I look forward to seeing the STEM stars of the future in action.鈥�
Nicola Gamlin, Principal of Coleg Gwent, said:
鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to take ownership of the state-of-the-art HiVE facility, a landmark development for education and skills in 天美传媒 and beyond. Over the summer, we鈥檒l be working hard to equip HiVE with cutting-edge technology to create an inspiring, hands-on environment for STEM learning. We鈥檙e excited to welcome our first cohort of learners this September.鈥�
Located close to Ebbw Vale town centre and the Coleg Gwent 天美传媒 Learning Zone, the facility will be available to all residents across Wales as well as students at Coleg Gwent studying engineering-based courses, helping to facilitate and increase footfall across the town centre supporting local retail business.
The learning starts even before HiVE however, with the HiVE Hub Programme in local schools. Funded by Welsh Government Tech Valleys and UK Government, and in partnership with Coleg Gwent, this is an innovative programme of engineering education centred on industry in schools and STEM facilitation. The programme is creating meaningful and sustainable links between the college and 天美传媒 schools to support high quality and inspirational learning experiences; aligned to future progression opportunities at HiVE.
Notes:
HiVE aims to
- Provide relevant, up-to-date qualifications for the next industrial revolution.
- Raise awareness in schools, pupils, and the wider community.
- Raise aspiration and inspire future generations.
- Improve accessibility.
- Raise attainment levels in STEM.
- Align with partners/stakeholders to develop a skills package/offer; and
- Address the gender imbalance in Engineering.
The Campus will offer employment and skills opportunities with training, specifically allowing students to experience the world of work and equipping them with a qualification such as BTEC, HNC or HND. It will be a Centre of academic excellence for relevant engineering qualifications up to level 6 and therefore responding to industry and their needs. The business environment will be bolstered by the increased number of skilled residents, adding to the area鈥檚 competitiveness.
The development of the Centre will future proof the area by being able to respond to companies that locate themselves within the Tech Valleys by having residents with the appropriate skillsets. The appropriate skillset will lead to a reduction in the number of young people classified under the NEET status, thus raising employment and economic activity in the area.
HiVE will ensure that young people will have the relevant training and skills to apply for jobs in the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Sector and the Digital and Enabling Technologies. Students will be trained to have the STEM skills valued by local employers.
Tech Valleys
Tech Valleys is a Welsh Government initiative focused on transforming the South Wales Valleys into a globally recognized hub for innovation, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable technologies. By investing in skills, infrastructure, and business growth, the Tech Valleys aims to enable high-quality jobs, attract investment, and foster inclusive economic growth across the region.
For further information about Tech Valleys please email: TechValleys@gov.wales