A major development has been approved for an advanced technology centre at Cardiff Airport.
- The Vale of Glamorgan Council has approved the £65m project from Cardiff and Vale College.
- This campus is part of a £100m investment, also including a new waterfront campus in Barry.
- The new facility will focus on advanced technologies, renewable energy, and net zero skills.
- The campus will serve around 2,000 learners and create significant employment opportunities.
A significant development is underway at Cardiff Airport with the recent approval of a new advanced technology centre by the Vale of Glamorgan Council. This project is spearheaded by Cardiff and Vale College as part of a broader £100m investment that also includes a new waterfront campus in Barry.
The proposed centre at Cardiff Airport represents a £65m investment and will be located alongside the existing International Centre for Aerospace Training. Designed to be a net zero campus, it is expected to accommodate approximately 2,000 students and over 100 staff, subject to the Welsh Government’s approval of the college’s full business case. Construction is anticipated to commence next year, with the campus opening in 2020.
The curriculum will be centred on promoting economic development through education in advanced technologies and green skills. This includes pathways for students into these industries, as well as apprenticeships and part-time courses aimed at upskilling employees in the region. Furthermore, the college, collaborating with university partners, will offer higher education courses tailored to the needs of these sectors.
In addition to the Cardiff Airport project, Cardiff and Vale College has recently obtained planning consent for a £35m waterfront campus in Barry. This 60,000 square foot facility will replace the college’s existing site and is designed to serve up to 1,000 full and part-time students starting from 2026.
The funding for these ambitious projects is primarily supported by the Welsh Government’s mutual investment model (MIM), with the college contributing around 19% financially. It marks the first use of MIM for a college project in Wales, with construction costs spread over a 25-year repayment period.
Leadership from both the College and the Vale of Glamorgan Council have expressed optimism regarding the project’s potential impact. Mike James, Group Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale College, highlighted the commitment to delivering excellence in education and meeting the evolving needs of employers in the region. Likewise, Council Leader Lis Burnett noted the strategic enhancement of the Vale of Glamorgan as a hub for international excellence, particularly in aerospace and advanced technologies.
The approved technology campus at Cardiff Airport represents a landmark investment in education and skills development for the region.
