BAM Construction has now started work on Salford’s new £10.4m University Technical College (UTC) at MediaCityUK.

UTC@MediaCityUK, as it will be known, will specialise in the creative and digital industries. It will give 14-19 year olds from Greater Manchester the chance to work with employers at MediaCityUK through its direct link to the industry.

Anne Casey, principal designate said: "It is so exciting to see the building work begin. We will have a fantastic learning space at the heart of MediaCityUK for young people who want to join this dynamic industry. I look forward to talking to young people and parents who want to study here."

Jim Rooney, BAM Construction's project manager said: "We have been looking forward to getting on site with this project and delivering this impressive purpose built college to develop Manchester’s young creative and media professionals of the future."

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The 6,200 sq m building will accommodate the media industries’ specific requirements that include state-of-the-art TV and radio studios, as well as interactive media and gaming facilities. The ICT rich learning environment will also enhance the teaching of the core curriculum which will include English, maths, the sciences, history, geography and languages to GCSE, A Level and BTEC qualifications.

Located at the junction of South Langworthy Road and Broadway, the four-storey college building designed by IBI Taylor Young will complement the architectural style of MediaCityUK. The building will make best use of the site by providing four distinctive outdoor learning zones – the arrival space at the front, the ‘urban’ teaching area adjacent to the Metrolink, the ‘wildlife’ garden space adjacent to the studio ‘black box’, and the informal teaching area to the rear.

BAM's design and build team includes structural engineers Curtins, building services consultant Ramboll, landscape architect Planit IE, interior designer Space Zero, architect IBI Taylor Young and the technical adviser is Mott MacDonald.

(CD/MH)