Cardiff and Vale College Reaches Topping Out at Vale Campuses 2026

Key Points

• Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) has been celebrating the topping out ceremony of two new campuses within the Vale of Glamorgan.
• The completion of the construction marks the erection of the full structure of the Barry Waterfront Campus and Advanced Technology Centre up to its highest point.
• The project has an estimated cost of £119 million and is entering the next stage of construction.
• The Advanced Technology Centre is situated opposite to Cardiff Airport and adjacent to the International Centre for Aerospace Training (ICAT) of CAVC.
• The Barry Waterfront Campus will offer facilities and courses to young adults and adults.
• Opening of both campuses is scheduled for summer 2027, with educational programs starting from September 2027.
• The projects are referred to as Wales’s first net zero further education project.
• The delivery of the project is carried out according to the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.
• CAVC, Bouygues UK, WEPCo and Welsh Government officials have attended the ceremony.
• Two CAVC Engineering students participated in the ceremony and are expected to become part of the first cohort to attend the Advanced Technology Centre.

Cardiff (Wales Times) October 13, 2026 — uk/local/cardiff/">Cardiff and Vale College has marked the topping out of its two new landmark campuses in the Vale of Glamorgan, confirming that the structural work on both the Barry Waterfront Campus and the Advanced Technology Centre has reached its highest point.

As reported by FE News, the topping out marks a major stage in the £119 million development, with both buildings now moving into the next phase of construction. The college said the milestone sees the full structure for both campuses completed to their highest point.

The event was held at CAVC’s Advanced Technology Centre site, opposite Cardiff Airport. Senior representatives from Cardiff and Vale College, WEPCo and the Welsh Government were given a site tour by developer Bouygues UK, including a visit to the top of the campus.

Two CAVC Engineering learners also attended. According to FE News, they represent some of the first cohort of learners expected to study at the Advanced Technology Centre when it opens in September 2027.

Which New Campuses Are Being Built in the Vale of Glamorgan?

The development includes two separate campuses: the Barry Waterfront Campus and the Advanced Technology Centre.

The Advanced Technology Centre will sit alongside CAVC’s existing International Centre for Aerospace Training (ICAT). FE News reports that it will accommodate training designed to meet the skills needs of employers, apprentices and people working in advanced technologies, while supporting Wales’s transition to net zero.

The Barry Waterfront Campus is intended to offer a wide range of facilities and courses for young people and adults. The college says it will help learners develop new skills or progress in their careers.

Both campuses are due to open in the summer of 2027. The college states that they will be the first net zero further education project in Wales.

Why Is the £119 Million Project Significant for Wales?

The project is significant because it combines major education investment with a net zero construction approach.

As reported by FE News, the development is being delivered through the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. The college says the two campuses will become sustainable learning environments in which thousands of people will learn each year.

The college also says the developments are expected to bring substantial community and economic development benefits to the Vale of Glamorgan.

The topping-out event brought together the project’s immediate key partners, giving them their first opportunity to visit the development and see the full scale of the campuses.

What Did Cardiff and Vale College Leaders Say?

Cardiff and Vale College Group Chief Executive Mike James welcomed the progress and described the milestone as important for the two new campuses.

As reported by FE News, Mr James said: “We are delighted with the progress being made and to mark this important milestone for the two new campuses that will make a real difference to the communities of the Vale of Glamorgan and beyond.”

He said the developments reflect the college’s commitment to creating high-quality learning environments for its community and employers, as well as investing in future skills.

Mr James added: “We now look forward to further engaging with young people, families, community groups and employers, ensuring all are part of the journey as these campuses take shape.”

He said that when the doors open in September 2027, the spaces will “belong to the communities they serve”, delivering long-term educational, social and economic benefits for the Vale.

What Did Bouygues UK Say About the Construction Milestone?

Bouygues UK Operations Director Kevin McElroy said reaching the topping-out stage demonstrated the collaborative approach taken by the project partners.

As reported by FE News, Mr McElroy said:

“Reaching this milestone is a testament to the strong, collaborative approach our partners have brought to this project.”

He said the commitment from all partners had been instrumental in delivering what he described as a transformational investment for Wales.

Mr McElroy said the campuses represent a partnership between education, industry and government. He also praised the onsite team, saying its dedication had been crucial in bringing the vision to life.

He added that the project would deliver facilities for the next generation of engineers, manufacturers and sustainability experts, while setting a benchmark as Wales’s first net zero further education campus.

What Did WEPCo Say About the New Education Spaces?

WEPCo General Manager Neil Cutting said the topping out reflected Cardiff and Vale College’s commitment to its learners and the communities it serves.

As reported by FE News, Mr Cutting said:

“What better way to celebrate the tangible passion and commitment of the Cardiff and Vale College to its learners and the communities they serve, than to mark the completion of the inspiring spaces taking shape at the Advanced Technology Centre.”

He said WEPCo was honoured to be entrusted to deliver the college’s vision for innovative, modern education spaces at the Advanced Technology Centre and the Barry Waterfront Campus.

Mr Cutting said the organisation and its delivery partners had carefully designed the facilities and were now building them for future generations.

He added: “We look forward to the next set of milestones as we work towards completion in time for the start of the upcoming academic year.”

Mr Cutting said WEPCo was committed to ensuring the new facilities inspire learners for many years and open new opportunities for Wales and communities in the Vale of Glamorgan.

When Will the New Cardiff and Vale College Campuses Open?

Both campuses are due to open in the summer of 2027.

The Advanced Technology Centre is expected to welcome its first learners in September 2027, according to FE News. The report says two CAVC Engineering learners who attended the topping-out event are among those expected to form part of the first cohort.

The college says the Barry Waterfront Campus will provide courses and facilities for both young people and adults, although the reported article does not give a separate opening date for that campus beyond the wider summer 2027 schedule.

Background of the Development

Cardiff and Vale College’s new Vale campuses form a £119 million project delivered through the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. The scheme includes the Barry Waterfront Campus and the Advanced Technology Centre, which is being built opposite Cardiff Airport beside the college’s International Centre for Aerospace Training.

The topping out marks the point at which the main structures of both buildings have reached their highest level. The project partners include Cardiff and Vale College, developer Bouygues UK, WEPCo and the Welsh Government.

The development is described as Wales’s first net zero further education project. CAVC says the campuses are intended to support advanced technology training, apprenticeships, employer-led skills development and Wales’s net zero transition.

Prediction: How Will the New Campuses Affect Learners and the Vale Community?

For learners in the Vale of Glamorgan, the development is likely to expand access to further education facilities closer to Barry and Cardiff Airport. The Barry Waterfront Campus is expected to offer courses and facilities for young people and adults, while the Advanced Technology Centre is expected to focus on advanced technologies, apprenticeships and employer-linked training.

For local employers, particularly those in engineering, manufacturing, aerospace and sustainability-related sectors, the Advanced Technology Centre may provide a new route to skills training and apprenticeship provision. The college says the centre will be designed around the needs of employers, apprentices and people already working in advanced technologies.

For the wider Vale community, the project could bring long-term educational, social and economic benefits once the campuses open in 2027. CAVC says the sites will serve thousands of learners each year and form part of a wider commitment to community-focused education investment.