Yeovil College hosted the ground-breaking of its transformative £60+ million campus redevelopment project, funded by the Department for Education (DfE), marking a significant milestone in further education for Somerset and North and West Dorset.
The new campus transformation will feature state-of-the-art facilities that promise to offer unparalleled educational experiences to students across the region with its advanced facilities, dynamic learning environments and a commitment to excellence.
The £60+ million investment awarded by the Department for Education (DfE) and collaborating with BAM as the main contractor, has culminated in the creation of a cutting-edge sports centre, a technical construction centre and a large, modern teaching centre, which will house all commercial outlets, including reenvisaged salons and restaurants. 
The teaching centre is the academic heart of the new campus, replacing the existing Kingston and Bridge Buildings, both of which date back 60 years. The new ‘L- shaped’ building will provide more than 10,000m² of first-class accommodation.
With almost 100 state-of-the-art classrooms, inviting social and study spaces and cutting-edge technology, it’s poised to become a vibrant centre for learning and interaction. Whether students are attending lectures, participating in group projects, or simply enjoying a coffee break, this building aims to elevate their campus experience and promises to be a hub of activity, fostering collaboration, creativity, and community.
The sports centre will be a hub for athletic and sporting excellence, known as the Yeovil Institute of Sport. Equipped with advanced training equipment, a cutting-edge gym and versatile fields and pitches, it will stand as one of the most stunning and sophisticated college sports centres in the region.
The technical construction centre follows the building of the first new construction facility and will help to address a critical skills gap in the construction industry. The construction centre is set to become a beacon of vocational construction training, adding a further 1,700m² of construction specialist and technical training to the campus.
With workshops housing the latest technology and machinery, students will receive hands-on experience, preparing them for successful careers in construction, fire and security and electrical. The new centre compliments the construction skills centre, which was opened in January 2024 on the Yeovil College site.
The extended facilities will accommodate the 100%+ of growth within construction apprentices and full-time leaners, who are all developing their careers in the industry. New sector leading facilities extending traditional trades space and making room for cutting edge Green Construction and Retrofit Technologies will support the sector to reduce its environmental impact for future decades.
Mark Bolton, CEO and Principal, said: “The investment and campus transition that will now begin and conclude over the next three years is a once in a lifetime opportunity and can be transformational for our town. It will accelerate and widen the impact of our work, in our mission to create life-changing opportunities.
“This is the last and largest piece of our campus renewal jigsaw, the culmination of years of hard work following the refurbishment and refit of almost every other building and space at our Yeovil site.”
The planned buildings will positively impact the community of not only Yeovil, but of South Somerset and North and West Dorset, providing advanced facilities, resources and spaces for the regions. 
Mr Bolton added: “We anticipate that the increased numbers of full and part time learners and apprentices will continue, further increasing our ability to provide life-changing opportunities and careers for our learners.
“From our work with our business community, we know that the number of degree apprentices and other university-level students will continue to grow strongly, supporting local industry to succeed with amazing people, providing the higher skills and knowledge that underpin both success and prosperity.”
Tim Chell, Regional Director at BAM, added: “We’re proud to support Yeovil College and the Department for Education on this transformative project, which will benefit both current and future learners.
“Over the next four years, we’ll generate more than £15m in local social economic value by creating local jobs, apprenticeships, and providing supported learning experiences for students, all while working closely with local businesses and the wider community. We will maximise the positive impact of this project, helping to drive growth and prosperity in Yeovil and beyond.”
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