Bouygues UK and Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) have marked a major milestone in the development of two new education facilities in the Vale of Glamorgan, welcoming representatives from the Welsh Government, the Welsh Education Partnership Company (WEPCo) and student ambassadors to celebrate the topping out of the Advanced Technology Centre and Barry Waterfront Campus.
The topping out ceremony took place at the Advanced Technology Centre, where guests from Bouygues UK, CAVC and project partners toured the site. The milestone signifies the completion of the buildings’ superstructures and marks the transition into the next stage of construction.
The Advanced Technology Centre forms part of CAVC’s £119m investment in two flagship campuses in the Vale of Glamorgan. Located at Cardiff Airport, the centre will accommodate almost 2,000 full and part-time students and will sit alongside CAVC’s International Centre for Aerospace Training (ICAT). The facility will feature flexible classrooms and workshops, a Higher Education Business Centre, an advanced composites manufacturing hub, state-of-the-art robotics and mechatronics laboratories, and a dedicated green skills house.
The 6,000 sq m Barry Waterfront Campus will provide a wide range of facilities and courses for young people and adults seeking to develop new skills or advance their careers.
Both campuses are scheduled to open in summer 2027 and will become the first net zero further education project in Wales. The development is being delivered through the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.
Kevin McElroy, Operations Director at Bouygues UK, said: “Reaching this milestone is a testament to the strong, collaborative approach all partners have brought to this project. The shared commitment has been instrumental in delivering this transformational investment for Wales.
“These campuses represent a genuine partnership between education, industry and government, and that collaborative spirit extends to our onsite team, whose dedication has been crucial in bringing this vision to life. It’s rewarding to be part of a project that will deliver world-class facilities for the next generation of engineers, manufacturers and sustainability experts, whilst also setting a benchmark as Wales’s first net zero further education campus.
Cardiff and Vale College Group Chief Executive Mike James said: “We are delighted with the progress being made and to mark this important milestone for the two new campuses that will make a real difference to the communities of the Vale of Glamorgan and beyond. These developments reflect our commitment to creating high-quality learning environments for our community and employers, as well as our drive to invest in skills for the future.
“We now look forward to further engaging with young people, families, community groups and employers, ensuring all are part of the journey as these campuses take shape. When the doors open in September 2027, these spaces will belong to the communities they serve, delivering long-term educational, social and economic benefits for the Vale.”
Neil Cutting, General Manager at WEPCo, said: “What better way to celebrate the tangible passion and commitment of Cardiff and Vale College to its learners and the communities they serve than to mark the completion of the inspiring spaces taking shape at the Advanced Technology Centre. We are honoured to be entrusted to deliver the College’s vision for innovative, modern education spaces on this site and the Barry Waterfront Campus.
“Together with our experienced delivery partners, who have carefully designed and are now building for future generations, we look forward to the next set of milestones as we work towards completion in time for the start of the upcoming academic year. We are committed to ensuring that the new facilities will inspire all learners for many years to come and open new doors of opportunity for Wales and communities in the Vale of Glamorgan.”
Current CAVC students Dayron Buckler and Max Lewis attended the event and were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the site.
Max, 17, who is studying engineering at CAVC’s Barry campus, added: “I really enjoyed the tour. It’s amazing to see how big it’s going to be and how there will be so much space for engineering workshops and lots of classrooms. I hope to study here next year so it’s brilliant to have the opportunity to see the progress being made.”
Dayron, also 17, said: “I’m hoping to study architecture so it was great to have a tour of the facilities. They are going to be amazing.”