Almost 4,500 full time students have started the new academic year at Gower College Swansea – signing up for A Levels and vocational courses in a range of subject areas including accountancy, engineering, hair & beauty and plumbing.
They are joining the College at an exciting time, with the imminent completion of renovation work and refurbishments set to enhance student facilities.
After the devastating fire at the Tycoch campus in October 2016, a brand new state-of-the-art library has already re-opened. This modern learning and social space offers students a range of facilities including an innovation area, an Information Learning Technology studio and an acoustic pod, as well as quiet spaces for individual study.
Elsewhere on the Tycoch campus, a £3.5m investment project at the front of the building will see its completion in early 2018. The new ground floor entrance will be home to a reception area, the Admissions team, student support services, student funding and a common room for students to enjoy. The first floor will feature a bespoke ‘higher education hub’ for students following higher level courses which will include classrooms, a break-out room and a specialist learning area.
As well as upgrades to Tycoch, an extension to the popular refectory at the Gorseinon campus will see students benefit from a new breakout area complete with a Costa coffee shop.
Commenting on the developments of this academic year, Mark Jones, Principal at Gower College Swansea, said: “We’re just as excited as the students about the improvements being made to the college which will have such a positive impact on all our learners. We’re continuously striving to improve and enhance the college and its facilities to make it the top choice for young people across Swansea when considering the next step in their educational journey.”
Additional facilities at Gower College Swansea include the Vanilla Pod restaurant - where hospitality and catering students prepare, cook and serve all of the dishes, running successful lunch and dinner services in addition to special themed evenings – and the Broadway Centre, where hair, beauty and holistic students hone their skills in purpose-built salons, beauty treatment rooms and a spa.
Students joining the College’s brand new full time construction courses – which equip students with skills in carpentry, brickwork and painting and decorating – will study at Jubilee Court in Fforestfach where the College has constructed bespoke workshops and learning spaces.
The College has also purchased a city centre property – based on the Kingsway – which will act us an Employment Hub for the delivery of its brand new Better Jobs, Better Futures initiative.