CRAVEN College plastering and bricklaying students marked a symbolic point in the development of its new construction and engineering building on Monday by taking part in a steel-signing ceremony.

The ceremony, hosted by contractors Houlton along with Craven College principal Robert Bellfield and governor David Mabbitt, marked a significant point in the schedule for the new building.

Mr Bellfield and the construction students were invited to write messages on a structural steel beam before it was embedded in the fabric of the building.

Mr Bellfield said: "It is great to see the new construction and engineering building progressing well. Today has marked a significant milestone in the project, with current construction students writing messages which is a reminder that current and future students will benefit from the new facilities for years to come’.

Work is now continuing to finish the new facility ready for use by students in August 2015. The new building will be constructed to a very high standard to ensure it contributes to reducing the college’s carbon footprint and reducing its longer term operating costs, allowing it to maximize the resources available for learning and teaching. The new building will be built to achieve a BREEAM ‘outstanding’ rating.

The project is part of an exciting £6.2 million series of developments designed to provide first-class new and refurbished accommodation for staff and students. The project further consolidates the college on the Aireville site to ensure that even more students have the opportunity to easily access the full range of College services and resources.

The Whernside building will be refurbished to provide modern and exciting new learning and social space bringing together the central services to support the student, including a learning resource centre, enterprise and Shop. The Hub building will be refurbished to provide an all new fitness suite, showers and changing rooms, sports science laboratory and much more.

When the project is completed over £10 million will have been invested in the Aireville Campus over a period of four years.

The College is grateful for the financial support provided by the Skills Funding Agency, which is granting £2 million towards the project, with the balance coming from the college’s own resources.