Young people will be able to come to Salford to study and train in areas such as construction, engineering, computing, creative media, business and health sciences, thanks to a new £14.3m facility.
Salford University marked the opening of its new Greater Manchester Institute of Technology (GMIoT) building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by key partners and stakeholders.
The facility is the newest addition to the University’s Campus Connectivity Plan. It will act as a main meeting point for GMIoT’s college partners and big-name employers like the BBC, Laing O’Rourke, GCHQ and Siemens.
Built with the environment in mind, the 1840m² building runs on renewable energy thanks to solar panels on the roof, and has a living green wall fed by collected rainwater.
Inside, students have access to modern digital labs, a workshop for hands-on projects and ICT studios. The building was finished on time and within budget, and was designed by jmarchitects.
Among those present at the opening were representatives from construction company Tilbury Douglas, which delivered the project, and RHS Bridgewater, which gifted a specially designed wellbeing garden for students and staff to enjoy throughout the year.
RHS Bridgewater collaborated with students to co-design the garden which includes a bespoke pergola with year-round seating.
GMIoT Director Claire Foreman said the new building was a big step forward for technical education in the region.
“Greater Manchester’s economy is growing fast, but there are still major gaps in skills,” she said.
“This centre was designed alongside industry, for industry, and the courses we deliver here will help build the talent pipelines that our region needs the most.”
Ms Foreman also confirmed the building will offer technical education at Levels 4 and 5 across Greater Manchester.
Jo Purves, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Partnerships and Global Engagement, described it as a space where students and staff will genuinely love to spend time, praising Tilbury Douglas and jmarchitects for delivering something both educationally excellent and welcoming to all.
Martin Horne, Regional Director for Tilbury Douglas in the North West, expressed his pride in being part of the project. “We are incredibly proud to have partnered with the University of Salford on this new building,” he said.
“This facility is high-quality and sustainable, and it will help students across Greater Manchester gain the skills and confidence they need to build meaningful careers, including in construction.”
RHS Communities Programme Manager Andrew Swarbrick said it had been fantastic to work with students on the green space design and confirmed that outdoor wellbeing sessions will be delivered in the garden over the summer.
Dave Shoreman of jmarchitects said the positive reaction to the building had been overwhelming.
“What makes this project special is the true spirit of collaboration that was there from day one,” he said. “From the early design stages all the way through to the finished building, everyone shared the same clear vision, and that’s what brought us to this moment,.
“We can’t wait to see the building and its landscape continue to grow and develop as students, staff and visitors make it their own.”
All courses taught at the GMIoT are shaped in close collaboration with industry partners, aimed at ensuring students receive relevant, targeted training with strong employment prospects at the end of their studies.
The building also forms part of the wider Crescent Salford Masterplan, a major regeneration partnership involving the University, Salford City Council and the English Cities Fund.
