Bouygues UK tops out £119m college campus projects in Wales

By Danny BallPublished On: October 15th, 2026Categories: News, Top Stories

Bouygues UK has reached the structural completion milestone on two further education campuses being built for Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC), as work progresses towards their planned opening in 2027.

The contractor marked the topping out of the Advanced Technology Centre at Cardiff Airport, with representatives from CAVC, the Welsh Government, the Welsh Education Partnership Company (WEPCo) and student ambassadors attending a site tour.

The milestone signals the completion of the building’s superstructure and the transition to the next phase of construction.

The Advanced Technology Centre forms part of CAVC’s £119 million investment in two campuses in the Vale of Glamorgan. Designed to accommodate nearly 2,000 full and part-time students, the facility will sit alongside the college’s International Centre for Aerospace Training.

Planned facilities include flexible classrooms and workshops, a Higher Education Business Centre, an advanced composites manufacturing hub, robotics and mechatronics laboratories, and a dedicated green skills house.

Barry Waterfront Campus also progressing

The second development, the 6,000 sq m Barry Waterfront Campus, will provide facilities and courses for young people and adults seeking to develop skills or progress their careers.

Both campuses are being delivered through the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme and are intended to become Wales’s first net-zero further education project. They are scheduled to open in 2027, with the college stating that students will be able to access the facilities from September.

Kevin McElroy, Operations Director at Bouygues UK, said: “Reaching this milestone is a testament to the strong, collaborative approach all partners have brought to this project. The shared commitment has been instrumental in delivering this transformational investment for Wales.

“These campuses represent a genuine partnership between education, industry and government – and that collaborative spirit extends to our onsite team, whose dedication has been crucial in bringing this vision to life.

“It’s rewarding to be part of a project that will deliver world-class facilities for the next generation of engineers, manufacturers and sustainability experts, whilst also setting a benchmark as Wales’s first net zero further education campus.”

New campuses target future skills needs

Mike James, Cardiff and Vale College Group Chief Executive, said the developments would provide learning environments for local communities and employers, with the college planning further engagement with young people, families, community groups and businesses as construction continues.

He said: “We are delighted with the progress being made and to mark this important milestone for the two new campuses that will make a real difference to the communities of the Vale of Glamorgan and beyond.

“These developments reflect our commitment to creating high-quality learning environments for our community and employers, as well as our drive to invest in skills for the future.

“We now look forward to further engaging with young people, families, community groups and employers, ensuring all are part of the journey as these campuses take shape. When the doors open in September 2027, these spaces will belong to the communities they serve, delivering long-term educational, social and economic benefits for the Vale.”

Neil Cutting, General Manager at WEPCo, said the project was progressing towards completion ahead of the next academic year.

He said: “What better way to celebrate the tangible passion and commitment of the Cardiff and Vale College to its learners and the communities they serve, than to mark the completion of the inspiring spaces taking shape at the Advanced Technology Centre.

“We are honoured to be entrusted to deliver the College’s vision for innovative, modern education spaces on this site and the Barry Waterfront Campus.

“Together with our experienced delivery partners, who have carefully designed and are now building for future generations, we look forward to the next set of milestones as we work towards completion in time for the start of the upcoming academic year.

“We are committed to ensuring that the new facilities will inspire all learners for many years to come and open new doors of opportunity for Wales and communities in the Vale of Glamorgan.”

Two CAVC students, 17-year-old engineering student Max Lewis and aspiring architecture student Dayron Buckler, also attended the event and toured the site.

Lewis said: “I really enjoyed the tour. It’s amazing to see how big it’s going to be and how there will be so much space for engineering workshops and lots of classrooms. I hope to study here next year so it’s brilliant to have the opportunity to see the progress being made.”

Buckler added: “I’m hoping to study architecture so it was great to have a tour of the facilities. They are going to be amazing.”