Runshaw College students show off new science and engineering facility

The high-tech Science Engineering Innovation Centre (SEIC) at Runshaw College, Euxton Lane,  featuring cutting-edge laboratories and workshops and the most advanced equipment, will enable up to 400 new students a year to study engineering and science.

Whilst its formal opening is not until 23 September, Runshaw Principal Simon Partington gave Chair of Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Edwin Booth a preview ahead of the public unveiling in recognition of the LEP’s £4.3m investment in the scheme. Mr Booth toured the centre and met Runshaw students.

Afterwards, Mr Booth said: “I’ve been very impressed with the high-tech equipment and modern facilities that the LEP has helped to fund at Runshaw College. The students are clearly delighted to be studying in such a leading-edge facility, which will enable them to learn key skills to help them become more employable in the future.”

“The LEP is investing £30m of Growth Deal Skills funding in a network of modern centres across Lancashire, of which Runshaw is the latest to be launched.”

“As more and more of these centres open over the next few years, they will create thousands of extra training and apprenticeship places for our young people. Supporting the expansion of our skilled workforce in this way is a key part of the LEP’s ambitious strategic plan for growth.”

Mr Partington said: “It is a real pleasure to have this partnership with the LEP, the SEIC is a remarkable state of the art facility that our young people, who travel from all over the North West, will benefit from for years to come. We can’t wait for our students of all ages to use it.”

The centre will enable young people to learn the skills needed to work in a range of industries, from aerospace and advanced manufacturing, to medical and scientific professions.

By combining university qualifications and Apprenticeship programmes, Runshaw aims to transform science and engineering skills training locally, in terms of both volume and quality.