The University of Wolverhampton offered a glimpse into the redevelopment of its £100m investment in the former Springfield brewery at an event recently.
Over sixty people were given a ‘sneak peek’ of the regeneration at a special event held in The Chancellor’s Hall at City Campus, including staff from the School of Architecture and Built Environment, Associate Deans, former students, local companies and guests from the City of Wolverhampton Council and the West Midlands Construction University Technical Construction College.
The dinner was hosted by Professor Geoff Layer, Vice-Chancellor at the University and Professor Mohammed Arif, Head of the School of Architecture & Built Environment. Key-note speakers were Louise Brooke-Smith, Honorary Graduate (Partner, Arcadis and former President of RICS) as well as Chris Blythe OBE (Graduate and Chief Executive of CIOB).
Chris spoke about his time at the University and how the education he received helped him develop a successful career and Louise gave an overview on the future of the sector and how that ties in with the Springfield redevelopment project. She also spoke on diversity in the sector. She said: “The evening was a fabulous opportunity to learn more about the University’s innovative regeneration project at Springfield as well as giving us time to network with fellow graduates.
“It’s encouraging to see the transformational investment in Architecture and Built Environment related teaching and research that the University is making. I know it will put Wolverhampton on the map in these areas, and will have a phenomenal impact on students entering this sector.”
The site of the former Springfield brewery is being transformed into Europe’s largest specialist construction and built environment campus, bringing together businesses and the education sector to maximise impact on the economy.
Since its purchase in 2014, the derelict site has been rejuvenated into a centre of excellence for construction and the built environment, delivering a skills pathway for construction education and training from the age of 14 to senior professionals.
The site is currently home of the West Midlands Construction University Technical College with work progressing on the University’s School of Architecture and Built Environment and the Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills.
The £100 million development is acting as the catalyst for economic and social regeneration, tailored to creating jobs and delivering the technical and professional experts required by the industry.