Work Starts on EKC Sheppey College Extension

Images and Text, Copyright EKC Group. Reproduced with their kind permission

Photo Graham Razey EKC & Cllr Monique Bonney chair of Swale Borough Council’



Work has started on the extension of East Kent Colleges Group’s EKC Sheppey College. Part of the £20 million Government funded Sheerness Revival project put together by Swale Borough Council, the exciting extension of EKC Sheppey College has taken one step closer to fruition following a groundbreaking ceremony. The ceremony took place at the College in Bridge Road on the Isle of Sheppey, with members of the council, the chosen contractors Jenners Contractors Ltd, as well as other stakeholders delivering the project, being invited to attend. Marking the first milestone of the project,

EKC Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Graham Razey, turned the first sod of ground which will soon be home to the College’s extension. Offering an additional 900 square meters of educational space for learners to explore a wider range of courses that have been aligned with local skills needs, the new programmes in creative, engineering and logistics will leave learners well-equipped to achieve their ambitions in the career of their choice on the Isle of Sheppey and beyond.

Graham Razey, Chief Executive Officer at East Kent Colleges Group, said: “Our ambition is to allow young people to stay on the Island to train. We're hoping when they finish their secondary education they will come and study here in these facilities and then gain jobs on the Island. “Hopefully this project will bring more students, and the new disciplines mean we'll be looking for staff in the creative industries and teachers of engineering.”

The College extension is part of Swale Borough Council’s Sheerness Revival Project which has been funded by UK Government. The project aims to improve the health, leisure, education and employment opportunities on the Isle of Sheppey.

The three distinct elements of the project are - to expand EKC Sheppey College, to renovate the leisure centre at Beachfields, including upgrades to the GP Practice, and to create business units for young entrepreneurs at Masters House.

Cllr Monique Bonney chair of Swale Borough Council’s Property and Regeneration Committee, said: “It was amazing to see the hard work we have put into Sheerness Revival, with our partners, take such a tangible step forward. “This groundbreaking event marked just the beginning of what will turn out to be such an important asset for the Isle of Sheppey. “Education is one of the best ways to improve children’s outcomes, that is why the college extension is such an integral part of our plans to make a positive and long-lasting impact on the island. “Our regeneration project is really picking up steam, soon works will begin at the leisure centre and Masters House, this is truly becoming an exciting time for Sheerness.”