The contract for an £8million extension to the North East Scotland College (NESCol) campus at Fraserburgh has been put out to tender.
The overhaul, which could be completed in time for the 2016 academic year, will create an additional 20,000sq ft of teaching space and allow for upgrades of the existing engineering and construction departments.
Last night a spokeswoman for NESCol said, “The project to renew and extend facilities for engineering technologies at Fraserburgh campus has reached the point where tenders are being sought for construction work.
“The creation of additional capacity for engineering and construction training in Fraserburgh is further proof of the commitment the college has to the education and training needs of the people and industry of the north-east.
“The new facilities at Fraserburgh is part of a strategic plan to develop an estate which provides state-of-the-art facilities and maximises the use of new and emerging technology.”
She said the extension would include an expansion of the engineering and construction departments – taking in welding, engineering, brickwork, joinery, painting and decorating and motor vehicles – as well as the introduction of new science labs.
When the masterplan was announced in May, college principal Rob Wallen said: “The existing accommodation for technology subjects was built in the 1970s and does not reflect the demands of today’s curriculum.
“By extending the current facilities we will not only increase accommodation, but create more flexible teaching spaces. It will also allow us to introduce additional study options including science, which is a first for this campus.”
The investment follows the merger of Banff and Buchan College with Aberdeen College to form NESCol in 2013.
NESCol is now one of Scotland’s largest colleges of further and higher education with about 7,500 full-time and 20,000 part-time students.