Bridgend College’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Academy was completed in 2021 as the latest addition to its Pencoed Campus, Procured via the SEWSCAP (SEWSCAP) framework, this project was also part of Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools Programme.
Project Value: £19.5 million
Main contractor: ISG
The contemporary two storey facility included specialist accommodation, and workshops including mechanical and electrical workshops, motor vehicle workshops and high spec labs which were an important part of the MEP delivery by Whitehead.
Collaborative working was both a theme for the project outcome and a key element of the project’s success. Team Whitehead worked closely with the college, main contractor (ISG) and supply chain to deliver on Project Charter, outlining end user aspirations, communication channels and strategies to minimise disruption.
In addition to the STEAM building itself, team Whitehead worked on the Land Based Education centre, a 2500m2 building that accommodates a series of classrooms to educate in Land Based subjects including agriculture, horticulture, animal care, equine studies and country side management.
The state-of-the-art building will bring 21st Century learning to the borough and boost employment and training opportunities. We are continually evaluating our curriculum and campuses …..
….to ensure that we are preparing our learners for an ever changing job market and we aim to give them the opportunities they so rightly deserve.
Following the completion this project we have been engaged to provide ongoing mechanical and electrical planned and reactive maintenance.
In addition to providing a one stop shop maintenance solution for this exceptional building we have also provided mentoring support to final year students at the college. Most recently this included our Operations Director for Maintenance, Shaun Johnson, providing weekly assistance on CV writing and interview techniques. This approach reflects our social value commitments and being part of the community in which we operate which has resulted in us forging strong links with a number of schools and colleges in South Wales.