STEAM Academy wins ‘Inspiring Learning Spaces’ Award
26/06/2023On Thursday 22 June, Bridgend College was honoured to receive the ‘Inspiring Learning Spaces’ award at the Education Buildings Wales Awards 2023.
Held at the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff, the ceremony celebrated excellence and achievement within the Welsh education sector. The College’s STEAM Academy was nominated in two award categories, including ‘Project of the Year’ alongside Cardiff University’s Abacws Building and Centre for Student Life.
The ‘Inspiring Learning Spaces’ award recognises the vast potential of the STEAM Academy for future students. Located on the College’s Pencoed Campus, the academy boasts a variety of workshops, specialist spaces and classrooms to suit learning needs across the breadth of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) subject areas. Partly funded by Welsh Government in conjunction with the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Programme, the aim was to not only provide a multi-purpose educational facility in order to support a 21st Century curriculum, but also to further the College’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral.
Built in 2021, the state-of-the-art facility is an important feature in the College’s ‘Zero by 2030’ strategy and won a Green Gown Award for its ‘extraordinary vision’ the following year. Bridgend College has made sustainable development a core organisational principle, one which is shared by Rio Architects and ISG Construction, two of the partner organisations involved in the creation of STEAM Academy.
“We are thrilled to have our STEAM Academy celebrated for its immense potential as a centre for learning. Not only was it designed to meet the vast technological needs of the courses we offer, but its green spaces were created with the wellbeing needs of learners in mind. The facility has transformed what we, as a college, are able to offer future generations of students.”
Vivienne Buckley, Deputy Principal of Bridgend College
Last week’s win for the College follows hot on the heels of ISG’s own award for ‘Construction Company of the Year’ at the Wales Property Awards 2023. Not only a pivotal partner in bringing the STEAM Academy to life, ISG is also committed to working alongside the College’s Construction department. Earlier this year, the firm generously donated £2,000 worth of tools to Bridgend College to aid future Bricklaying apprentices, and are scheduled to return in the new academic year to run CV-building workshops, HSE talks and mock site inductions in order to boost student employability within the Construction sector.
Furthermore, as part of a three-year partnership with Bridgend College, ISG offers a multitude of internship opportunities to students, helping to embed key skills and provide valuable work experience across different teams.
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