£3.7m for new College STEM Centre

Brockenhurst College has been awarded £3.7m to build a new centre for science, technology, engineering and maths – known collectively as STEM.

The funding comes from the M3 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and is part of a major government investment scheme for enterprise development.

The new high-tech facility will be a unique study area for STEM subjects. It is designed to inspire students and ultimately create future leaders and innovators; therefore plugging skills gaps across the South.

As part of this, a major collaborative project with IBM will see Brockenhurst College use the latest technology to improve learners’ abilities and to personalise their studies.

College Principal Di Roberts CBE said: “We are delighted that the M3 LEP has chosen to invest in Brockenhurst College.

This is an important project that will have a significant impact on the quality of STEM skills, education and training,” she added.

Chair of Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership, Geoff French said: “By making significant investments in STEM facilities we are ensuring that young people have the skills that hi-tech businesses in our area need in order to remain globally competitive.”

The College’s new STEM centre will open in 2016.

IMAGE: Artist’s impression