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We’re delighted to announce a new step forward in the development of our long-awaited HiVE building in Blaenau Gwent. A new £9 million investment has been awarded to Blaenau Gwent Council as part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up fund. The investment will allow us to progress with the development of the High Value Engineering (HiVE) project, a sector-leading, training and education establishment based near our BGLZ campus in Ebbw Vale.

This funding has been secured by working in collaboration with Blaenau Gwent Council, industry partners and the Welsh Government Tech Valleys Programme. The Centre will be located on a 1.96-acre site in Ebbw Vale, the site of a former Monwell Hankinson Building on Letchworth road. The new centre will deliver high-quality teaching space with the capacity for up to 600 students complete with classrooms, study areas and a range of workshop spaces.

As a college we are constantly looking for new ways to bring the latest skills and technology into the South Wales area. The development of this centre will help to future proof the area by providing a talent pipeline with the skills needed to allow companies to locate themselves in the Tech Valleys. The HiVE will give our learners the relevant training and skills to apply for jobs in both the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Sector and Digital and Enabling Technologies.

The aim of the Tech Valleys Programme is to create a world-class, high technology focus for Welsh-based manufacturing companies of all sizes. It is hoped that this will encourage cutting edge industries in the area, such as 5G, battery technology and research into automotive and autonomous vehicles.

Primary and secondary schools from across our local area will also be able to benefit from the HiVE, by using the space for guest lectures, demonstrations and by having access to advanced equipment and experiences unavailable in schools.

Councillor Steve Thomas, Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council commented:

‘This is great news and I welcome the funding to enable us to work with our partners to construct and develop a state-of-the-art education and training facility here in Blaenau Gwent. I am sure that this will be a catalyst to create highly skilled local jobs and long-term economic growth for the area’.

Guy Lacy, Principal of Coleg Gwent said:

‘This is really good news and will allow Coleg Gwent, through our close partnership with Blaenau Gwent Council, to provide the skills that are needed for the future. We aspire to make the HiVE project one of the most advanced and successful manufacturing and engineering training centres in the UK.’

Read more about our HiVE building development here.