This state-of-the-art Centre was a major pathfinder project for the DfE’s Further Education Output Specification and is a perfect expression of NSCG’s and Ellis Williams’ shared passion for creating truly transformational teaching and learning environments that not only contribute to students academic potential, but more holistically, their health and well-being.
The new £28m 3-storey Skills & Innovation Centre at Stafford College, completed in August 2023, was one of the first further education college schemes to be delivered under the DfE framework and a pathfinder scheme for delivery in accordance with the Further Education Output Specification. The new Centre is equipped with cutting-edge equipment and state-of-the-art facilities for construction, engineering and hybrid / electric vehicle maintenance facilities, as well as IT rich seminar suites and open learning break-out spaces along with a 4-court sports hall, a fully-equipped gym and a flexible 300-seat auditorium.
We worked collaboratively with the college, stakeholders and students to ensure that the design for the new centre reflected their aspirations for a truly inspiring new centre for skills and innovation that would transform vocational training in Stafford and significantly improve student experience. The Vocational Skills department provides state-of-the-art workshops for construction, joinery, hybrid motor vehicle and engineering. Traditional workshops are often closed-off, boxy and dark, however our designs sought to change this through the introduction of floor-to-ceiling glazing (including the double-volume hybrid vehicle workshop). This has created open, bright and welcoming workshop spaces that provide a much more positive learning environment.
This triple-height atrium, designed to create a “wow factor” with bright, open spaces and statement finishes, offers a variety of social/study spaces arranged over three floors, with viewing areas to the sports hall – offering students a dynamic invitation to participate in sporting activities, promoting health and wellbeing.
The design of the building and extensive glazed frontage provides a “living advert” for the college’s new facilities and also ensures that students inside the building have views over the new landscaped plaza – enhancing wellbeing through connection to the outside/nature.
Since the Centre opened, attendance at open day events has almost doubled and applications are up 24%.
