STUDENTS at a Hampshire college are celebrating the completion of a new innovative state-of-the-art £16 million campus.

The new Bishopsfield Road site at Fareham College has undergone a transformation andis the result of a year-long project to create facilities for students.

Alongside its Centre of Excellence in Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills Training (CEMAST), the college says the new buildings offer some of the best learning and educational facilities in the country.

The new site provides dedicated workshops for a wide range of construction trades, a digital industries lab, a new training salon for beauty and hairdressing students, and a fully-integrated media, music and performing arts suite.

Principal Nigel Duncan said: “Choosing which college to go to is one of the most important decisions that an individual will make and they course they select could shape the rest of their life.

“Fareham College is committed to helping students make the right decision and provides a supportive and inclusive environment in which to achieve their goals.

“We are delighted that our redesigned campus is able to offer some of the best training facilities in Hampshire.

"It is providing a highly-innovative learning environment in which students studying professional and technical courses can develop the skills needed to embark upon an exciting and highly-rewarding career.”

The project has involved a combination of new buildings activity as well as extensive refurbishment of existing 1960s buildings already within the college site, which staff say will ensure a sustainable and cost-effective way of creating new spaces.

All heating, electrical and power systems are brand new and as well as extensive subject-specific resources, general purpose classrooms, general purpose rooms are equipped with projectors and interactive whiteboards.

Student Oakley Crosswell said: “The classrooms are really good - they are large, clean, fresh and uncluttered, which makes it a great place to focus on your studies.

“I couldn’t wait to start using our large sports hall and brand new gym.

“They are really exciting facilities.”