Phase one of Scunthorpe’s university campus complete

Phase one of the University Campus North Lincolnshire is now complete and a new cohort of students is enrolled and ready to start their studies.

Britcon Ltd has been working flat out over the summer to convert the former council head office into Scunthorpe’s very own university campus.

The facilities are being redeveloped in two phases. In phase one the ground floor and first two floors have been fully converted and comprise a lecture theatre, learning resource centre, classrooms, IT centre and student break-out spaces.

In phase two, set to be completed in the summer of 2020, the remaining two floors will be converted into additional study spaces, digital, engineering and construction laboratories and a state-of-the-art conference suite.

Ursula Lidbetter OBE, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said, “It's very exciting to see progress being made on this new university campus for Scunthorpe.

“University Campus North Lincolnshire will raise aspirations among young people in the area and support local businesses as they look to recruit employees with higher level skills.

"It will have a tremendous impact on education in North Lincolnshire in response to the needs of employers and we're delighted to see the first students enrolled and ready to learn!"

Mick Lochran, Principal and CEO of DN Colleges Group said: “We’ve already seen a dramatic increase in local people enquiring about higher education programmes through the UCNL in recent months.

“We knew the location would stimulate interest from the public, especially as the programmes we are offering reflect local and national industry needs. This strong focus on employment means that people can now study locally to gain a higher level qualification that will support them to get their first job, be promoted or to change their career.”

Cllr Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “After transforming the former Civic Centre building with the help of Government funding, seeing the first students start at the University Campus North Lincolnshire is a milestone moment for our area.

“The UCNL will have a profound effect on shaping the future of North Lincolnshire, encouraging our young people to achieve their full potential and supporting local businesses with the higher level skills they need for growth.”

The Minister for Local Growth Jake Berry MP said: “We are committed to boosting economic growth across the Northern Powerhouse, Midlands Engine and the UK as a whole.

“The Government is investing a total of £7.3 million from the Local Growth Fund to build skills in the Greater Lincolnshire area and this allocation of £2.3 million will give thousands of people in the region access to higher education, including Degree Apprenticeships, for the first time.

“It will also support local businesses by giving them an opportunity to work closely with the education sector to shape training for their existing staff and workforce of the future.”

Those hoping to start a higher education programme and employers looking to upskill their staff are asked to contact the UCNL team on 01724 294125.