Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:43 pm on 18 October 2022.
Minister, last week, Bridgend council concluded its public consultation into the planned expansion of Bridgend College in the town centre. This exciting plan includes a main building with a 200 seat auditorium, providing a base for departments covering performing arts, catering, visual arts, business, cosmetology, hair and beauty, additional learning needs and independent living skills. A further building contains classrooms and teaching spaces for much-needed courses in social care and health and well-being, for example. This is a major infrastructure project and demonstrates the value that further education colleges bring as key anchor institutions in developing our economies and communities. All this needs to be connected in a strategic way to include transportation links and developments that existing businesses have. Can the Minister schedule a debate on the importance of the anchor institutions in sustaining and developing our economy?