Plans for a £3.38m Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centre at Furness College in Barrow have been submitted…
Planning permission has been submitted for a new centre dedicated to engineering and advanced manufacturing research at Furness College in Barrow.
The centre, which will comprise of 14,000 sq ft of space, will include prototyping and high voltage test laboratories.
The additional space will enable the college to recruit up to 1,150 apprentices in the field of engineering and advanced manufacturing at any one time.
The design of the new centre will be undertaken by Lancaster-based company Harrison Pitt Architects.
Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council received the planning application seven months after the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership successfully secured £1.2m funding for the project from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
David Green, director of capital project for Furness College, said: “The new centre will provide an inspiring, rewarding and inclusive environment for all learners.
“Employers recognise the need for investment in training and skills and have given this project their full support.
“The new Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Centre will meet the demand for specialist technically trained staff.”
Zoe Hooton, architect at Harrison Pitt Architects, also commented. She said: “This centre will be designed to reflect the processes used by highly-specialised international companies in the local area who we have collaborated with closely.”
Work could begin as early as May 2015 and complete by February 2016 if the planning application is approved.