United Colleges Group (UCG) hosted a special Breaking Ground event at Olympic Way to officially mark the first day of construction of its new, state-of-the-art Wembley Park Campus.
Following a “Breaking the Wall” event in April – which marked the start of the demolition of the former, disused site – last week’s event signified an exciting step forward in the Campus’s development, bringing together students and staff from across UCG, partners and organisations which are integral to the project, as well as supporters from across the Brent community to celebrate the milestone.
The centrepiece of the event was a Ceremonial Spade opportunity carried out by the Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth Howard Dawber OBE, the Mayor of Brent Councillor Amer Agha, UCG CEO & Group Principal Stephen Davis, Managing Director at Willmott Dixon Simon Ramage, and several students from UCG’s College of North West London (CNWL), who simultaneously dug spades into the ground to kickstart the first official day of the new building’s construction.
CNWL, which began as Willesden Polytechnic in 1891, has been a staple of the Brent community for over 130 years. This new Campus will therefore build on the College’s existing legacy in the area, providing state-of-the-art facilities that will enable learners in Brent and more widely to engage in first-rate further education studies within the borough.
Set on an iconic pedestrian route connecting Wembley Park station with Wembley Stadium, the new Campus is situated in one of the capital’s most well-known public spaces. With the building’s design rooted in sustainable principles, students will benefit from access to modern teaching and learning spaces, an outdoor roof terrace and vocational workshops, all of which are adaptable to future needs.
The Department for Education, Brent Council and the Greater London Authority have provided enduring and instrumental support to enable the delivery of the project, with partners in the design and construction sectors likewise providing significant expertise and backing.
Willmott Dixon has been appointed as main contractor and is delivering the project. The design has been developed by leading architects WilkinsonEyre with Bidwells (project management), Stace (cost consultancy and employer’s agent), Eckersley O’Callaghan (structural and civil engineering), Max Fordham (building services) and BBUK (landscape design).
The Campus is due for completion in 2029.
Stephen Davis, CEO & Group Principal at United Colleges Group, said:
“We are so pleased to have been able to bring together so many people from across our college and the Brent community for this event. Our new Campus is a highly anticipated development for the local area, so it was fantastic to take the opportunity to celebrate this milestone with our students, staff, partners and supporters.
“Given the necessary and welcome announcements that were made by Government last week to encourage more young people into education, employment and training, this event and what it signifies could not have been more timely.
“Over the coming months and years, we will see our vision for this Campus come to life and continue to deliver more high-quality technical education opportunities, not just for this generation, but for the next.”
Simon Ramage, Managing Director at Willmott Dixon, said:
“It’s fantastic to celebrate the groundbreaking of this exciting new development at the College of North West London’s Wembley Campus. We’re passionate about creating inspiring places that help people and communities thrive, and we’re proud to be delivering a facility that will support generations of students for years to come.”
Summer, who is studying bricklaying at CNWL and attended Thursday’s event, said:
“I didn’t have any experience in bricklaying before I started my course, but I am a very creative person and it has given me a great opportunity to be inventive, whilst being a useful trade for my future. I am really looking forward to seeing the new Campus being built. It will be advanced, with brilliant architecture, and is a perfect location for future students.”
Another student, Abeer, who is studying on an English for Speakers of Other Languages course at CNWL, added:
“I am the first person in my family to be able to speak English and my dream is to become a doctor – my teachers at the College are really encouraging of my ambitions! I love the other students here and I am very glad that, with this new Campus, future learners will be able to benefit from a modern building and fantastic new courses.”
“Being named a finalist for the AoC Adult Student of the Year Award is honestly one of the proudest moments of my journey so far. When I became Student Union President, I wanted to prove that student leadership could genuinely change how a college feels from the inside, more connected, more supported, better able to access opportunities. Seeing that work recognised on a national stage means everything, and it’s pushed me to keep going, not just for the role, but for what I want to build in my future career.”
“The technical knowledge and hands-on experience gained during my apprenticeship at College of North West London have been invaluable, particularly in understanding site processes, health and safety requirements and the understanding of electrical systems.”
“My favourite thing about studying here has definitely got to be the teachers. They’re really helpful, kind and in the industry, so it’s good.”
“At City of Westminster College, my experience has been the best of all the other colleges I’ve attended. The reason I like CWC is because the teachers make my journey easier with assessment and exams. I’m a Level Two Science student and I enjoy my lessons because most of them are practical, which are helpful for me. I love studying at CWC because you meet people from other countries – all over the world and from all different communities.”
“My experience at College of Northwest London, has been exciting, it has been thrilling and it has been full of opportunities, and we have the tutors that help us whenever we’re in need. We go on educational trips to get a feel for what university life is like. We have the careers advisors that help us on our path, our university path.”
“My experience studying at City of Westminster College has been amazing. It’s been so welcoming; I enjoy it very much because of the staff members we have here. They’re very approachable and I could come to them with any question, and it will be answered straight away. And if I come early for a class, I can use the Learning Resources Centre, I can use the computers, the books, just to continue all my studies outside the classroom time.”
“The facilities here are brilliant. You have range of courses you can study. My teachers in the Performing Arts department have got history in the industry, which is very useful. You get to ask them for advice and actual knowledge from the industry, and take that into your own work within the college also afterwards. ”
“The training process was seamless. I had good instructors who were very flexible, supporting people of all learning levels. On the last day after our exams, a security company came and did a presentation. We had the opportunity to have an interview afterwards. I told them about my experiences, and they said I would be a good fit. I formally applied for a role and started with the company soon after. Getting into security has opened doors for me. I hope I will continue to take steps up the career ladder.”
“Coming to study at the City of Westminster College was the best decision that I had ever made. The teachers are very accommodating – they help you learn things in a way that might be easier for you to learn. They are very supportive and I think that’s one of the best things about learning here.”
