City College Norwich’s £11.4m Digi-Tech Factory set to transform digital skills training in Norfolk
Article posted on: 20 October 2021
City College Norwich will officially open its stunning new building for digital skills today, paving the way for a major expansion of the specialist training that will be vital for businesses in the burgeoning digi-tech sector.
Growth in the UK’s digi-tech sector has significantly outstripped that of the wider economy and that trend is set to continue. New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership wants to see more of the £100bn worth of economic output nationally being generated in the region – with its Strategic Economic Plan forecasting a need to fill 10,000 vacancies in the digi-tech sector by 2024.
The importance of digital skills extends far beyond the digi-tech sector itself, with digital skills increasingly being required throughout the rest of the economy too.
City College Norwich, New Anglia LEP and Norwich City Council (through the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Towns Fund) have collectively invested £11.4m in the Digi-Tech Factory as a direct response to this key skills priority for Norfolk and Suffolk.
Technology aligned to workplace standards
The Digi-Tech Factory is equipped with £750,000 worth of the latest computer technology. The building contains 340 PCs and 538 monitors specified for a wide range of digital applications ranging from programming to CAD, architectural design, animation, video editing, and virtual reality.
Its teaching spaces are fitted with 4K interactive touchscreens, high specification PCs and double or large screens to suit whichever type of software is likely to be used, and to simulate the working environments where students will eventually be employed.
The ground floor spaces have been dedicated to the practical application of technology in the world of work – with workshops dedicated to electronic control systems (PLCs), break/fix environments for networking, PC maintenance, and infrastructure engineering.
Over 60 miles of cabling
The Digi-Tech Factory was designed by Coffey Architects in collaboration with Pro:works, and construction was led by R G Carter Ltd. The building has a total floor space of approximately 2,550 square metres, across its four floors.
Over 60 miles of cable have been installed throughout the Digi-Tech Factory and 220 tonnes of steel were used in its construction.
It is connected by two walkways to the award-winning Creative Arts Building, encouraging the natural cross-over and collaboration between the college’s University of the Arts London creative arts courses – including art and design, media production, graphic design, music, and photography – and digital skills training.
Seven former City College Norwich students currently employed by R G Carter Ltd worked on the construction of the Digi-Tech Factory, including Assistant Project Manager, Ed Carr and Director and General Manager, Mario Rackham. In addition, four current construction students gained a combined 1,184 hours of work experience with R G Carter Ltd on site.
Students welcome “inspiring” learning environment
The hi-tech classrooms are already being used by the college’s students and apprentices, enhancing their learning in areas including software and programming, networking and infrastructure development, engineering, electronics, advanced manufacturing, digital art, animation and games design, and civil engineering.
Kieran Loades, who is studying a T-Level in Digital Production, Design and Development, said:
“The hardware we’ve got access to is significantly improved. Having dual screens is very useful when it comes to software development, because you can have the programme you are working on on one side, and on the other screen you can test what you are doing and apply bug fixes as well.”
Civil engineering apprentice Leanne Burgess commented:
“It’s got everything, all the technology, all the computers you need. We use something called Revit, it’s an architectural piece of software, and you need something really fast to run it.”
Ellie-Mae Chaplin, who is studying Digital Art, Animation and Games Design, adds:
“It’s lovely in here, I really love it. It’s really modern and spacious. It’s a lot more inspiring to be able to work in this kind of environment.”
Official opening in Colleges Week
The official opening of the Digi-Tech Factory has been timed to coincide with Colleges Week.
Colleges Week is part of the ‘Love Our Colleges’ campaign and sees colleges across the country, along with education unions and students hosting and getting involved in events to showcase the huge impact that further education colleges have for students, businesses and the communities they serve.
Corrienne Peasgood OBE, Principal of City College Norwich, commented:
“The Digi-Tech Factory will play a key role in enabling us to deliver innovative, industry-standard learning and a digital skills curriculum developed with substantial input from employers.
“It’s been brilliant seeing how the new building has been received by our lecturing staff, students, and apprentices during the first weeks of term, and the difference this is already making to the teaching and learning of a wide range of digital skills.
“Marking the opening of the Digi-Tech Factory during Colleges Week was a natural link to make, as a key strength of FE colleges everywhere is our ability to move with the times and work closely with employers to adapt what we do as skills needs change.”
C-J Green, Chair of New Anglia LEP, said:
“Two years ago, the LEP awarded the Digi-Tech Factory just over £6m from its Growth Deal with Government and it is extremely satisfying to see the result of that investment – a building that students are already using and enjoying, and which will equip us for the future.
“This facility is not only a striking addition to the campus at City College Norwich but a priceless asset to the region as it looks to futureproof its skills in this fast-growing sector.”
Leader of Norwich City Council and co-chair of the Norwich 2040 Vision Board, Councillor Alan Waters, said:
“We’re delighted to have been able to financially contribute towards the new Digi-Tech Factory through our successful Town Deal bid. This incredible facility is a huge boost for our city – providing the technology, skills and teaching to ensure our residents are equipped with the skills of the future.”
Mario Rackham, Director and General Manager, R G Carter Ltd, said:
“This cutting-edge building symbolises magnificently the forward-thinking and progressive digital study and discovery that will take place within it and we are thrilled to play a part in enhancing and developing the digital skills of people in Norwich and Norfolk.”
Greg Scott, Director, Clancy Consulting, said:
“We were delighted to have been able to contribute civil and structural engineering services as part of the design team for this wonderful new facility for the college. The stunning architecture and exposed structure within the building required considerable team co-ordination and really captures the factory feel.
“As a former alumnus and having had three civil engineering apprentices attend the college in the last few years, I personally appreciate how City College Norwich can provide a solid grounding for higher education and a fantastic launch pad for careers.”
