This week, Crawley College was pleased to welcome Jim McMahon MP, Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, for an official visit to explore the college’s ongoing work in technical education, apprenticeships and green skills development. He was joined by Peter Lamb MP, representatives from Crawley Borough Council and other local leaders keen to support the future of education and innovation in the South East.
The visit provided an opportunity for guests to meet with apprentices and learn first-hand about their training programmes and career journeys. Discussions focused on how Crawley College is working in close partnership with local employers to deliver industry-relevant skills and support the ‘Invest in Skills’ initiative—aimed at upskilling the local workforce to meet the evolving needs of the economy.
A highlight of the visit was a tour of the college’s Green Village, a unique learning space designed to embed sustainability into vocational training. The Green Village supports construction, engineering and automotive programmes. It demonstrates how green technologies and sustainable construction practices are integrated into the curriculum. This space also plays a vital role in helping local employers transition towards greener ways of working.
Minister McMahon and guests were also given a detailed update on the development of the Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology (SSIoT), which is currently under construction at the Crawley College campus. As part of the visit, they experienced one of the new immersive media spaces.
The SSIoT is due for completion in Autumn 2025 and will play a key role in delivering high-quality technical education across Sussex and Surrey. It will offer learners of all ages access to cutting-edge facilities and training aligned with regional skills priorities.
As we look ahead to the official opening, we’re proud to share our progress and continue building partnerships with employers, policymakers and the wider community. We look forward to welcoming more visitors in the months to come as the SSIoT continues to take shape.
Stay informed by following our journey towards becoming a leading centre for technical education and skills innovation in the South East.