Sponsors of the new university technical college for Sussex held a topping out ceremony today (Thursday, 18 June) to mark completion of the structure of the buildings.
Historic Grade II listed marine workshops at Railway Quay, Newhaven are being converted to provide an iconic home for UTC@harbourside.
Leader of Lewes District Council, Cllr Rob Blackman joined the sponsors to put the finishing touches to the roof.
The college is jointly sponsored by Lewes District Council, educational charity The Aldridge Foundation, the University of Brighton and Veolia. It is being converted by Kier Construction.
Sponsors were represented by Honor Wilson-Fletcher, Chief Executive of the Aldridge Foundation, Jenny Rowlands, Chief Executive of Lewes District Council and Prof Andrew Lloyd, Dean of the College of Health, Life and Physical Sciences and Dr Mark Jones, Academic Director of the college at the University of Brighton. Also present were Principal Jonathan Clarke, Chair of the Governors Paul Bevan, Trustee and former leader of LDC James Page, Aldridge Foundation Projects Director Sue Simmons, and Phil Durigan retiring Director of Kier Construction and his successor, Jonathan Payne.
Offering an outstanding academic and technical education for 14-18 year olds in Sussex interested in science, technology, engineering, maths and computing, the college opens on 7 September. Work continues to fit out the inside of the three-storey building with state of the art science, engineering and computer labs and create a habitat zone on the roof.
Cllr Blackman said on behalf of the sponsors: “We are delighted that the University of Brighton, the Aldridge Foundation, Lewes District Council and Veolia have been able to deliver this new educational establishment, a UTC, through our partnership. UTC@harbourside is a perfect example of how the shared clout of business, education and the public sector can combine for the benefit of the wider community. In providing an inspirational learning environment in Newhaven, in partnership with the growing number of marine, environmental and other engineering companies in the region, we will help provide a great future workforce of talented young people from our area and contribute to the prosperity of the town and the wider region.”