Bouygues UK and Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) welcomed visitors from Welsh Government, the Welsh Education Partnership Company (WEPCo) and student ambassadors to the official topping out of the Advanced Technology Centre and Barry Waterfront Campus in the Vale of Glamorgan.
A topping out ceremony was held at the Advanced Technology Centre where representatives of Bouygues UK, CAVC and other partners were invited for a tour of the site. The topping out marks a significant milestone in the project build, as it signals the completion of the super structures, reaching the top of the build and the progression to the next phase of construction.
The Advanced Technology Centre is part of CAVC’s £119million investment in two landmark campuses in the Vale of Glamorgan. Located at Cardiff Airport, it will welcome nearly 2,000 full and part-time students and sit alongside CAVC’s acclaimed International Centre for Aerospace Training (ICAT). The new facility will feature flexible classrooms and workshops, a Higher Education Business Centre, an advanced composites manufacturing hub, state-of-the-art robotics and mechatronics labs, and a dedicated “green skills house.”
Alongside this, the 6,000sqm Barry Waterfront Campus will offer a wide range of facilities and courses for young people and adults to develop new skills or progress in their careers.
Both campuses are due to open in the summer of 2027 and will be the first net zero further education project in Wales. The project is being delivered through the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.
Kevin McElroy, Operations Director at Bouygues UK, said: “Reaching this milestone is a testament to the strong, collaborative approach all partners have brought to this project. The shared commitment has been instrumental in delivering this transformational investment for Wales.
“These campuses represent a genuine partnership between education, industry and government – and that collaborative spirit extends to our onsite team, whose dedication has been crucial in bringing this vision to life. It’s rewarding to be part of a project that will deliver world-class facilities for the next generation of engineers, manufacturers and sustainability experts, whilst also setting a benchmark as Wales’s first net zero further education campus.”
Cardiff and Vale College Group Chief Executive Mike James said: “We are delighted with the progress being made and to mark this important milestone for the two new campuses that will make a real difference to the communities of the Vale of Glamorgan and beyond. These developments reflect our commitment to creating high-quality learning environments for our community and employers, as well as our drive to invest in skills for the future.
“We now look forward to further engaging with young people, families, community groups and employers, ensuring all are part of the journey as these campuses take shape. When the doors open in September 2027, these spaces will belong to the communities they serve, delivering long-term educational, social and economic benefits for the Vale.”
Neil Cutting, General Manager at WEPCo, said: “What better way to celebrate the tangible passion and commitment of the Cardiff and Vale College to its learners and the communities they serve, than to mark the completion of the inspiring spaces taking shape at the Advanced Technology Centre. We are honoured to be entrusted to deliver the College’s vision for innovative, modern education spaces on this site and the Barry Waterfront Campus.
“Together with our experienced delivery partners, who have carefully designed and are now building for future generations, we look forward to the next set of milestones as we work towards completion in time for the start of the upcoming academic year. We are committed to ensuring that the new facilities will inspire all learners for many years to come and open new doors of opportunity for Wales and communities in the Vale of Glamorgan.”
Two current CAVC students Dayron Buckler and Max Lewis were invited to the event and given special access to the site.
Max, 17, who is currently studying engineering at CAVC’s Barry campus said: “I really enjoyed the tour. It’s amazing to see how big it’s going to be and how there will be so much space for engineering workshops and lots of classrooms. I hope to study here next year so it’s brilliant to have the opportunity to see the progress being made.
Dayron, also 17, said: “I’m hoping to study architecture so it was great to have a tour of the facilities. They are going to be amazing.”
