STAFF and students from City of Oxford College joined contractors to mark the start of an £8m development at the Blackbird Leys campus.

At a formal turf-cutting ceremony anticipation grew for the new Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) centre, which should be finished by September 2016.

Work has been going on at the campus, in Cuddesdon Way, since the start of the month but Wednesday’s event brought all those who are involved together for the first time.

Phil Waddup, group director of property and environment at the college’s umbrella organisation Activate Learning, said: “We’re delighted. This development represents a significant investment in our Blackbird Leys campus, and in the skills and training needs of the local area.

“The campus is set to become a specialist hub for training in science, engineering and technology as we seek to support these growth industries in the county.”

New buildings will be created and existing facilities refurbished to create the new £8m development, which will be known as the Oxfordshire Centre for Technology, Innovation and Skills.

It will include workshop space, science labs, 3D printers and state-of-the-art design suites. Learning manager for construction and motor vehicles at the college, James Posselwhite, said: “Not only are we hoping to inspire future generations with the development, but we’re hoping to change the face of the campus too.

“We’re going to have glass reception areas and modern buildings and it’s going to look fantastic.

“The development will mean that the campus is no longer so enclosed, which should attract a lot more people to come and study from all across East Oxford.”

About 60 new apprenticeship places will be created, alongside 60 full-time programme places in engineering and new technologies.

The centre will also provide more part-time professional courses to aid local businesses in the area.

Groundworks are currently taking place at the campus, led by building contractor SDC.

Director Gary Wykes said: “We are delighted to be working with Activate Learning and City of Oxford College on this new development, and look forward to successfully delivering a high quality energy efficient technology centre.”