THE construction of a new campus in Ballymena is expected to create between 150 and 200 building jobs, the Northern Regional College (NRC) has said.
The building project, which has already been granted planning approval, has now opened for firms to tender for the work.
The campus, set to be built at the existing Farm Lodge site in Ballymena, is part of a £84 million capital investment programme, funded by the Department for the economy, which includes the development of a new college campus in Union Street, Coleraine.
Around £40m is expected to be invested in Ballymena.
The College is also working along with the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and the Department for Communities in the redevelopment of the former Saint Patrick’s Barracks site which will share a boundary with the college.
Bob McCann, the newly appointed chair of the NRC's governing body, said: “This is a significant milestone in the progress of the project and represents an investment of over £40m in the Ballymena area by the Department for the Economy. The construction of the college will create job opportunities in mid and east Antrim, bringing much needed investment to the area.”
Professor Terri Scott, chief executive and principal of NRC added: “The new campus will result in a world class learning environment, enabling the delivery of training, skills and transformational education. The college is liaising with the business and industry sectors to determine the skills needs which will drive economic growth and produce new jobs and opportunities for the people of the area.”
Speaking on behalf of the Department for the Economy, Permanent Secretary, Noel Lavery said: “Further and higher education is a core part of our economic infrastructure, generating employment, output and earnings and I’m delighted that our investment in Ballymena will make a dynamic contribution to the growth of the area and the region and will be a welcome boost to the construction industry.”
