Work starts on EKC Sheppey College extension

Work has started on the extension of East Kent Colleges Group’s EKC Sheppey College.

Part of the £20 million Government funded Sheerness Revival project put together by Swale
Borough Council, the exciting extension of EKC Sheppey College has taken one step closer to
fruition following a groundbreaking ceremony.

The ceremony took place at the College in Bridge Road on the Isle of Sheppey, with members
of the council, the chosen contractors Jenners Contractors Ltd, as well as other stakeholders
delivering the project, being invited to attend.

Marking the first milestone of the project, EKC Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Graham Razey,
turned the first sod of ground which will soon be home to the College’s extension.

Offering an additional 900 square meters of educational space for learners to explore a wider
range of courses that have been aligned with local skills needs, the new programmes in
creative, engineering and logistics will leave learners well-equipped to achieve their ambitions in
the career of their choice on the Isle of Sheppey and beyond.

Graham Razey, Chief Executive Officer at East Kent Colleges Group, said: “Our ambition is to
allow young people to stay on the Island to train. We’re hoping when they finish their secondary
education they will come and study here in these facilities and then gain jobs on the Island.

“Hopefully this project will bring more students, and the new disciplines mean we’ll be looking
for staff in the creative industries and teachers of engineering.”

The College extension is part of Swale Borough Council’s Sheerness Revival Project which has
been funded by UK Government. The project aims to improve the health, leisure, education and
employment opportunities on the Isle of Sheppey.

The three distinct elements of the project are – to expand EKC Sheppey College, to renovate
the leisure centre at Beachfields, including upgrades to the GP Practice, and to create business
units for young entrepreneurs at Masters House.

Cllr Monique Bonney chair of Swale Borough Council’s Property and Regeneration Committee,
said: “It was amazing to see the hard work we have put into Sheerness Revival, with our
partners, take such a tangible step forward.

“This groundbreaking event marked just the beginning of what will turn out to be such an
important asset for the Isle of Sheppey.

“Education is one of the best ways to improve children’s outcomes, that is why the college
extension is such an integral part of our plans to make a positive and long-lasting impact on the
island.

“Our regeneration project is really picking up steam, soon works will begin at the leisure centre
and Masters House, this is truly becoming an exciting time for Sheerness.”