Swindon's new college is taking shape and is on target to open in the autumn. Education reporter LYNDSAY SCANLAN gives a progress report.

THE doors to a new futuristic Swindon College will be opened in September and already the building looks worlds apart from the existing site.

As part of a £12.5m project, the current Regent Circus site will be sold, creating one big campus at the North Star location.

And the existing buildings at North Star are not being left out in the second phase of the project they will be treated to a revamp.

Work on the new building is progressing well since it started last April with up to 150 tradesmen on site five days a week.

The 10,000 square metres of purpose-built space is set to provide state-of-the art facilities for vocational learning in the town.

The main block will be a four-storey building, which will house a refectory, an advice and guidance facility, and a new learning resource centre, with huge skylights and a performing arts space.

Hair and beauty students will have the chance to learn their trade in a realistic environment.

The salons will be like any other customers could walk into and there will be reception to book appointments, The workshop blocks will have facilities for the building trades, plumbing, carpentry, art and design and catering courses.

These will be spaces that match facilities found in industry so that students get the chance to see what it would be like working in whatever trade they chose.

Glass windows dominate the building, which is just minutes away from the train and bus stations and Swindon town centre.

A new road will also ensure that buses can pull up directly in front of the college.

Nigel Wichall, estates director at the college, is thrilled that everything is on track for the July completion date and that the new building has kept well within its set budget.

"We are really excited about the building because for the first time the college will be brought together on one site," he said.

"This gives students an exciting opportunity to learn in a fantastic building."

"The project has been split into three phases.

"Phase one moves all of the students from Regent Circus across to North Star.

"Then phase two and three will see the existing buildings, including the engineering workshops, upgraded."

He added: "We are ensuring that the college will offer the highest possible standards to students and will meet industry requirements."

The funding for the project has come partly from the Learning and Skills Council and partly from college funds.

A series of tours of the new campus are being planned to begin in June. For more information contact Swindon College on 0800 731 2250.

Visitors to the college's open evening, which takes place on Thursday, at the North Star campus from 5pm to 8pm, can also sign up for the tours.