Britcon Limited have been working flat out over the summer to convert the former council head office into Scunthorpe’s very own University campus.
The facilities are being redeveloped in two phases, phase 1 sees the ground floor and first two floors fully converted. Comprising of lecture theatre, Learning Resource
Centre, bespoke classrooms, IT centre, student break out spaces including Starbucks and Alongside these recognisable areas, the contractors have also been installing essential backroom maintenance areas, fire escapes that have been sympathetically installed to the Grade 2 listed building requirements.
Jake Berry MP, Local Growth Minister said, “We are committed to boosting economic growth across the whole of the Midlands Engine and ensuring every community has the support and investment it needs to flourish as we prepare to leave the EU on 31st October.
“Thanks to £2.3 million of Government support from the Local Growth Fund, students in Scunthorpe will benefit from state of the art facilities including new lecture theatres, study areas and a new IT centre. This investment forms part of £7.3 million of Local Growth Fund support to build skills in the Greater Lincolnshire area – ensuring that students and apprentices across the region receive the high quality tuition they need to flourish and compete in the global economy.”
Phase 2, set to be completed in Summer 2020, will see the remaining two floors converted into additional study spaces, digital, engineering and construction laboratories and a state of the art conference suite.
New windows and essential roofing improvements have also been made to keep the building watertight for the future, along with a new heating system to ensure occupants are comfortable.
Les Kirk, Head of Capital Project at DN Colleges Group said: “It’s been an honour to be involved in this project. My family have a long standing relationship with the building, having worked in local government, so to be able to be a pivotal member of the team during the renovations has been rewarding.”
Mick Lochran, Principal and CEO of DN Colleges Group said: “We’ve already seen a dramatic increase in local people enquiring about Higher Education programmes through the UCNL in recent months. As a project we knew the location would stimulate interest from the public, especially as the programmes we are offering reflect local and national industry needs. This strong focus on employment means that people can now study locally to gain a Higher Level Qualification that will support them to get their first job, be promoted or to change their career.
Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “After transforming the former Civic Centre building with the help of Government funding, seeing the first students start at the University Campus North Lincolnshire is a milestone moment for our area. The UCNL will have a profound effect on shaping the future of North
Lincolnshire, encouraging our young people to achieve their full potential, and supporting local businesses with the higher level skills they need for growth.”
Ursula Lidbetter OBE, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP said, “It’s very exciting to see progress being made on this new university campus for Scunthorpe.
“University Campus North Lincolnshire will raise aspirations among young people in the area and support local businesses as they look to recruit employees with higher level skills. It will have a tremendous impact on education in North Lincolnshire in response to the needs of employers and we’re delighted to see the first students enrolled and ready to learn!”
The UCNL has supported local industry through the renovation, with local firm Theaker Joinery winning the bid to recommission the windows, Pogson Decorators led on the painting and decorating and Britcon to lead on the project overall.
Julian Free, Deputy Vice Chancellor of People Services and Operations at the University of Lincoln said: “It is fantastic to see this facility opening and students beginning to arrive. The University is looking forward to working with DN Colleges Group and local employers to expand the University’s provision and the number of students taking advantage of the programmes the University offers at UCNL.”
New programmes have been launched at the UCNL including a Master’s level course and a HNC Level 4 in Hospitality and Management. Those hoping to start a Higher Education programme and employers looking to upskill their staff are asked to contact the UCNL team on 01724 294125.
