Two new buildings and facilities forming part of a multi-million pound transformation at Brooksby Melton College’s Brooksby campus were described as ‘truly amazing’ at their official opening on Thursday.
College patron Hazel, Baroness Byford, a Conservative peer in the House of Lords, cut the ribbon to officially open the Jutland and Grafton buildings at the college’s Lakeside site.
Lecturer Dave Kirkby with students Jordan Burgin (left) and Domonic Glover EMN-150110-174652001
Baroness Byford, and other invited guests, were given a tour of the site and were interested to hear what students and staff thought about the exciting new facilities.
The Jutland building (foundation provision) is used by students being educated in the environmental industries which covers areas including agriculture, horticulture, countryside management and floristry as well as level one animal care students.
The building offers a range of facilities including a vibrant social space for students and a new floristry workshop with a range of new state-of-the-art equipment. Countryside management students were observed by the touring guests while in the process of making their own wooden tools, just one of the many things they’re taught.
The Grafton building was also a hive of activity, with students there given a general introduction to construction, learning a range of skills, gained within realistic working environments, such as bricklaying, plastering, plumbing, painting and decorating and carpentry and joinery.
Tutor Annette Talbott with countryside management students Josh Teager and Jay Dowling EMN-150110-174348001
Student Abi Felstead told Baroness Byford: “I came here because other colleges didn’t have the multiple choice in different trades that Brooksby has. Brooksby had all of them.”
Joinery tutor Paul Toon said: “The main aim is to try and get the students into employment. If we can get them onto an apprenticeship that’s really good for us.”
Cutting the ribbon to open the Grafton building Baroness Byford said: “The new facilities are truly amazing. In today’s world young people need a skill and they need confidence and I think what you have here at Brooksby is just outstanding. I congratulate the college for what you’ve done and wish you every success for the future.”
