Cardiff and Vale College’s Advanced Technology Centre at Cardiff Airport Approved

Cardiff and Vale College’s Advanced Technology Centre at Cardiff Airport Approved

Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC), a proud member of FinTech Wales, has received planning approval from the Vale of Glamorgan Council for its new Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) at Cardiff Airport. This state-of-the-art facility marks a major milestone in the college’s £100 million investment in education and training, part of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.

The 13,000 sqm ATC will be located at CAVC’s International Centre for Aerospace Training (ICAT) and will accommodate nearly 2,000 learners and over 100 staff. Focused on advanced technologies and green industries, the centre will provide skills training to meet the needs of employers in renewable energy and emerging tech fields—critical to supporting Wales’ Net Zero Carbon targets.

Key features of the facility include advanced composites manufacturing, robotics and mechatronics labs, and a “green skills house,” where students will learn about renewable technologies and retrofitting skills. Virtual Reality, AI, 3D metal printing, and autonomous drone technologies will be integrated into the curriculum. Additionally, students will gain hands-on experience with electric and hydrogen vehicles in automotive programs.

The ATC will cater to full-time students and offer apprenticeships and part-time courses, enabling professionals to upskill. Higher education courses, run in partnership with universities, will also be available. The cutting-edge facility is expected to inspire young people to pursue careers in advanced tech while addressing the current workforce’s needs.

As Wales’ first Net Zero Carbon in operation Further Education campus, the ATC will not only enhance the region’s skills pipeline but also contribute to sustainable economic growth. Construction is slated to begin in 2025, subject to Welsh Government approval, with completion expected in 2027.

Mike James, Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale College Group, expressed his excitement about the approval:

“We are delighted that the Vale of Glamorgan has approved the next stage of our investment in education and training in the region…This Advanced Technology Centre will cater to the current and future needs of employers across the Vale and the wider Capital Region.”

Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, noted:

“The Advanced Technology Centre at Cardiff Airport will establish a second centre of international excellence here in the Vale. Pioneering even more technologies…will only add to this as well as giving local people a pathway into highly skilled jobs.”

The ATC will complement CAVC’s recently approved new campus at Barry Waterfront and eventually replace the current Barry Campus on Colcot Road.