I am delighted to be writing the very first blogpost for our brand-new website. We hope this platform will build upon an already growing reputation, showcasing the Future Skills Centre as a first-class conference and training facility serving local business and the wider community.
Devon County Council purchased the Future Skills Centre, formerly the Flybe Training Academy, back in 2020. Exeter College were delighted to enter a long lease of the building to deliver training and education opportunities from the site. Our mission is to provide learners of all ages with exceptional skills and qualifications fit for the economy of the future.
The Future Skills Centre, which has been fully operational since September 2021, will provide the region with a specialist facility for the delivery of training for future-facing high-tech jobs in engineering, digital, construction and clean growth. The Centre will offer inspirational opportunities for the region’s young people, while also providing adult learners the chance to upskill or retrain for a new career.
The positive impact on all our learners is already being felt. Full-time students in Construction, Engineering, Aviation and Travel & Tourism are utilising high quality training facilities, including a newly acquired jet on which students can fine tune their skills.
The Centre also hosts cohorts of Apprentices in Construction, Engineering and Professional Adult Learning. The feedback from current students is exceptionally positive and we are delighted to offer them first class facilities for their learning experience.
Since acquisition, the Future Skills Centre has undergone major refurbishment, transforming the space into a state-of-the-art venue. This included new carpets, new furniture and full redecoration to enhance the look and feel of the building. Structural changes were made to increase the sizes of some of the rooms affording our students and commercial clients space to learn and relax in top class surroundings.
Hosting our students and commercial clients as one creates a unique space and atmosphere. With a vibrant onsite café, free parking for over 200 cars, co-bike station and excellent transport links, the Future Skills Centre is ideally located to service all our customer’s needs. Our focus is to provide exceptional customer service to ensure a high-quality experience for all when visiting the Centre.
Technology is advanced and of high quality to ensure delegates are hosted well. Our conference and meeting rooms have also been refurbished and are now installed with the latest hybrid technology. This includes state of the art video, sound, and projection equipment to support small groups, board meetings and larger conferences. We know things have changed in terms of conferencing and our hybrid approach safeguards our customers today and in the future.
To enhance our offer, we have partnered with our local onsite Hampton by Hilton hotel to provide first class residential options.
The success of the Future Skills Centre could not have been achieved without collaboration. Devon County Council, East Devon District Council, Exeter College, our local business community and all our customers have shaped the Future Skills Centre into a vibrant and fully operational campus and conferencing facility. It has been a pleasure playing my small part in its evolution and I thank all our key partners in making this happen.
