East End celebrates next phase of new John Wheatley college campus.

The new East End Campus of Glasgow ’s John Wheatley College, which is being built at South Carntyne has reached another phase in its construction.

Willie Haughey, Chairman of the Board of Scottish
Enterprise Glasgow and Andy Woolley, Chair of Board of
Management, John Wheatley College, amongst other
participants in the cermony.

To mark near completion of the external structure of this exciting new facility, Willie Haughey OBE, Chairman of Scottish Enterprise - Glasgow, performed the ‘Topping Out’ ceremony on Wednesday, 11th October 2006, by concrete infilling the base of the final column in the building’s spectacular concourse space.

Earlier, he said;

‘As chairman of SEGL I am delighted to be involved in this initiative. There has been a long history of collaboration between John Wheatley College and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, particularly in the area of skills and learning.

The timing of this opening is perfect. With projects such as the Clyde Gateway and hopefully the Commonwealth Village it will play a central role in the economic and social regeneration in the East End and in communities further afield. It will play a major part in the Scottish Executive's Determined to Succeed and Smart Successful Scotland initiatives.’

This bright, modern facility with state-of-the-art technology will provide key learning resources for East End residents and the wider Glasgow community, bringing skills and opportunities to the area, including learning in social care, childcare, hairdressing, sound engineering, catering and construction to name but a few. Located in the heart of the East End, the new structure replaces the old Shettleston campus, and will include library, learning centre and childcare facilities. The building also incorporates a wide range of eco-friendly features in its energy management systems.

Andy Woolley, Chairman of the Board of Management of John Wheatley College, said;

‘We are delighted that the College’s spectacular new campus will open on schedule and allow local residents and businesses to have access as soon as possible to the wide range of exciting learning and development opportunities which the College has to offer. The College’s commitment to sustainable development is built on a widespread belief in the future strength of the East End community and its determination to succeed. We hope to play a key role in the regeneration of this dynamic part of Glasgow and thank all the organisations and funders who have supported us in our continuing efforts.’

The College has levered in a complex cocktail of funding to underpin this innovative new project, forming a Partnership of the Scottish Further Education Funding Council (SFEFC), Scottish Enterprise-Glasgow, Glasgow City Council and East End Social Inclusion Partnership (now the Community Planning Partnership). Support has also come from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through Strathclyde European Partnership and the Robertson Trust.