Economy Minister Dr today officially opened
Northern Regional College's new £55million campus in Ballymena.
Featuring state-of-the-art learning and training facilities,
which will benefit thousands of students and the wider community,
the Co Antrim campus is already open to learners and is reporting
a 12% increase in full-time enrolments for the new academic year.
Fully funded by the Department for the Economy, this investment
is part of a wider £101million capital programme enhancing
Northern Regional College's estate, which also includes the
recently completed Causeway Campus in Coleraine.
Speaking at the official opening, Dr said: “This
impressive new facility will allow Northern Regional College to
continue its excellent work in providing the training and skills
which underpin my Economic Vision.
“The local economy here is supported by a vibrant
engineering sector. And with this comes demand for a highly
skilled workforce which this new campus is well placed to
deliver.
“Equipped with the latest technologies, and a skilled
teaching staff, this new campus will allow us to continue to
adapt to the emerging needs of business.”
Situated on the former Farm Lodge site, the Ballymena Campus
unifies the College's provision within the town into a single,
modern, accessible, and future-focused facility.
The campus spans 16,800m² across five storeys, featuring a
dedicated Sports Zone, and will accommodate approximately 1,800
learners annually. It offers innovative spaces designed to align
with the evolving requirements of a modern workforce.
All Ballymena course offerings have been consolidated at this new
campus, which includes purpose-built facilities for vocational,
technical, and professional education.
A key highlight is the Advanced Technologies Department, covering
approximately 5,000m² across the ground and first floors,
providing specialist training in Mechanical, Manufacturing,
Electrical, and Electronic Engineering, alongside Motor Vehicle
and Construction Engineering disciplines.
The Department also supports essential trades such as Electrical
Installation, Plumbing, Carpentry, Joinery, and Bricklaying. The
campus further enhances practical learning with a training
restaurant and hair and beauty salons, offering students
real-world experience.
Key architectural features include an open-plan staircase
designed to encourage collaboration and breakout learning, as
well as an Innovation Zone, flexible space intended for
cross-curriculum events, project-based learning, and community
engagement.
At its highest elevation, the campus provides impressive views
eastwards across the ECOS landscape and westwards over the
adjacent St. Patrick's Regeneration Site.
The Minister added: “This campus - even in its
construction - had people and skills at its heart. Almost 1,500
weeks of employment and training were provided across a range of
construction-related trades as this campus was built.
“With 27 apprentices afforded the opportunity to learn
their trade right here; seeing their efforts come to fruition,
and today, taking pride in the campus they helped to
create.
“I'm pleased to say, many of these apprentices have now
also secured employment with their companies, further
strengthening the links between business and academia
locally.”
Northern Regional College Principal and Chief Executive Mel
Higgins commented: "The opening of our new Ballymena Campus marks
a pivotal moment for Northern Regional College as our staff,
students and wider community can now enjoy these outstanding
facilities.
“This purpose-built facility marks a major investment in the
future of education, skills development, and innovation within
the region. It will transform our teaching approaches, enhance
student learning experiences and strengthen collaboration with
employers and communities.
“The early signs are promising, with a 12% increase in full-time
student numbers. I am immensely proud of this achievement and
excited for what lies ahead."
Thanking everyone who contributed to the campus redevelopment
Chair of Northern Regional College's Governing Body Colm McKenna
remarked: "A project of this scale requires vision, leadership,
determination, and above all, partnership.
“I extend my gratitude to the Department for the Economy for
their investment and dedication to the future of skills and
training in Northern Ireland.
“I also wish to thank our project teams, current and former
governors, and our construction partners Heron Bros, whose
professionalism and commitment to quality were instrumental in
delivering this campus.
“Above all, I commend our exceptional staff, whose unwavering
dedication ensured uninterrupted learning throughout this period
of change.
“Today's official opening is a testament to persistence,
patience, and partnership, and I congratulate everyone involved
in bringing this vision for first-class learning to fruition."
Notes to editors:
1. Fully funded by the Department for the Economy, the new campus
was constructed by Heron Bros Ltd with design and project
management input provided by McAdam Design Ltd. The project is
part of a wider £101million capital investment to provide new
campuses for Northern Regional College in both Coleraine and
Ballymena.
2. Further information on the new Ballymena Campus and available
courses can be found online at www.nrc.ac.uk
