THE new multi-million pound education building at Pembrokeshire College has been officially opened.

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams, headed to Campus 6 last week to cut the ribbon at the new building.

The projected was given £3.3million of match funding by the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools and Education programme with refurbishments also carried out at the existing campus.

The new building includes additional science laboratories, classrooms, study areas, a fitness suite and sports hall as well as additional hair and beauty training rooms as part of the college’s delivery of vocational courses.

Kirsty Williams said “I am pleased that the Welsh Government has been able to support this £6.6 million project, with funding of £3.3 million from the 21st Century Schools and Education Programme.

“Campus 6 really is a shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration, partnership working and placing the learner at the heart of decision making.

The creation of Campus 6 gives learners the widest choice of subjects in the county covering both academic and vocational options; and avoids the need for learners to travel between centres to access their learning opportunities.

All learners can also benefit from the high quality sports facilities that are part of this new development.”

Nearly 200 students chose to study their AS-levels at the College this September.

College Principal, Sharron Lusher said: “We are delighted with CAMPUS6. This is a shining example of partnership working to achieve the very best outcomes for learners. Learners choosing to study at the College now have the widest choice of A-level subjects and vocational courses to choose from in the county meaning they can access the best combination of subjects for their chosen career path.”

The building of CAMPUS6 has allowed the College, in partnership with Ysgol Dewi Sant, Ysgol Bro Gwaun and Pembrokeshire County Council, to extend its A-level offer to 26 subjects giving pupils the widest choice in the county whilst also giving learners access to state-of-the-art technology and flexible delivery spaces.

The overall aim is that new learners will benefit from exposure to a greater range of courses, in larger, more stimulating classes, which will in turn lead to better outcomes.

It is also envisaged that the increase in the range of post-16 options will attract more learners into post-16 learning, and have a positive effect on those from economically deprived areas.