The Sheffield College chalks up sponsorship requirements for equipping its soon-to-open Centre for the Creative Industries
Work has commenced on a £15.6 million Sheffield College upgrade. The investment will lead to new facilities and courses linked to areas of growth for the regional economy.
£10 million of this project is being used to redevelop the college's Hillsborough campus into a specialist centre for Theatre, Dance & Performing Arts, Creative & Digital Media and Art & Design.
It is due to be opened in September 2015 and will be known as the Centre for the Creative Industries.
"Through sponsorship opportunities, we are looking to raise additional funds to equip our new performing arts and creative media spaces with equipment and systems of industry and professional standards - this will ensure our learners have the best possible chance of filling ever-growing employer skills gaps.
"For example, in addition to enhancing the learning environment for students undertaking our established range of performing arts courses, this equipment would enable us to widen our curriculum to offer courses which focus on 'back stage' and associated technical roles. Since Sheffield has the largest theatre complex in the country outside of London, this would help us to fill a growing, regional and national skills gap.
"We are training the next generation of talent in sectors identified for growth and working with employers to offer great careers opportunities to our students".
Key facts
• The upgrade includes launching new courses linked to areas of growth for the regional economy, building on more input from employers. The curriculum is already changing to reflect this.
• The performing arts curriculum is being developed further with Sheffield Theatres to include new courses in technical theatre. The media curriculum now offers new apprenticeships in media production, journalism and social media.
• There are plans for enhancing the music curriculum with input from a major music promoter, the launch of a record label and digitally streamed output.
•Hillsborough College works with employers such as Sheffield City Council delivering apprenticeships and diplomas.
• Hillsborough College currently offers academic and vocational courses up to degree level to around 7,770 young people and adults a year.
• Qualifications offered include apprenticeships, diplomas, and higher education degrees enabling students to gain a job and advance their career prospects.
Equipment needed to be able to offer the best facilities includes
• Theatre sound and lighting
• Musical instruments and technology
• TV and Radio technology
• Games development technology
• Computing hardware & Software
Facilities that require investment include
• Performance Theatre
• Drama Studios
• Dance Studios
• Music Labs & Practice rooms
• Recording studio
• Radio, TV & Film Studios
• Edit suites
• Photography studios & dry processing
• Games development and IT suites
