T HTEH U E NUI N V IEVRESR IT S IYT O Y FO O F POPPOPROTR UTNUI N T IYT Y A UNIVERSITY THAT MEANS BUSINESS
SPRING 2018
KNOWLEDGE NEWS New Build Plans for Construction Campus New plans have been submitted by the University of Wolverhampton for its School of Architecture and the Built Environment at its brand new £100 million Springfield Campus development. The plans form the largest part of the first phase of the multi-million pound project, which is transforming the 12 acre historic site into an unrivalled centre of excellence for the built environment, construction and high value manufacturing. After pre-construction works highlighted structures of some original buildings were not viable, Associated Architects has worked with Historic England and council planners on a design for the new School. It centres around the original clock tower building and combines heritage elements with a striking large new build element. When completed, it will provide specialist teaching and learning space for nearly 1,100 existing students and 65 staff, with the number of students projected to grow over time to more than 1,500.
Professor to Lead City Business Group
The School will specialise in supporting skills for the sector, house a brownfield research centre and join the West Midlands University Technical College, which opened in January 2017, and the Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills (ECMS) Hub, which will open this year. Jackie Dunne, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: “We think the new design is really exciting and will be a fantastic addition to the city. Springfield is a key strategic project for the University and we are committed to realising the vision of the site and the part this will play in regenerating Wolverhampton.” When agreement has been reached with planners, the scheme will go back out to tender to identify a construction partner. The ECMS is a unique learner space with a focus on improving the skills and knowledge base within the metalforming and casting industries. The Hub is supported by three spoke locations in the Midlands – Tipton, West Bromwich and Dudley.
The University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor has been announced as the new chair of the Wolverhampton Business Champions.
For the latest news on Springfield Campus, visit: wlv.ac.uk/springfield
Professor Ian Oakes will take the lead of the group, which brings together some of the city’s most prominent employers including the University, Marston’s, UTC Aerospace Systems, Jaguar Land Rover, Moog and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. The role of Business Champions is to work with the city council, local politicians and other key stakeholders to help make Wolverhampton a better place to live, work, invest in and visit. Professor Oakes, who has been a longstanding member of the group, said: “There is a lot of optimism in Wolverhampton at the moment in terms of regeneration and investment. “A record number of graduates are going into work and further study from the University and we must continue to work with industry to ensure we are bridging the skills gap in key sectors and driving growth.”