Hi Tech & Digital Centre
The innovative £17 million Centre provides a visionary facility for further, higher education and skills training support towards ever-expanding hi tech, engineering, manufacturing, digital and creative sectors across Torbay, South Devon and wider regions.
The inside of the building fulfils the vision of the minds behind it, with many large and open collaborative spaces that will encourage interaction across different subject areas. The range of subjects cover a range of levels from entry up to degree-level study and include; engineering, photonics, marine engineering and manufacturing, composites computing, esports and interactive media, art, graphic design, film and photography, business enterprise and entrepreneurship.
What you can study here
College
University-level
BUSINESS
COMPUTING
DIGITAL AND MEDIA
With manufacturing in mind, the engineering room is operational and include the latest CNC machining technology taking students on a journey from essential skills through to the latest programming and digital skills required in a modern manufacturing environment. Additionally, there are dedicated suites for Photonics and Microelectronics training, as well as state of the art materials testing.
Another unique feature of the Centre is the screening suite. This 4K projector, 7.1 surround sound setup, with 100 seats, delivers a true digital cinematic experience. Whether you are studying film, photography, gaming, or perhaps you want to host a conference here, this suite will deliver on a wide array of purposes. With today’s world being so digitally connected, the Hi Tech & Digital Centre is too. The screening suite hosts the ability to cast to all of the 4K screens in the building, which opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to events and exhibitions.
Here is an example of one of the many interactive screens that are fitted in every classroom in the building. These 4K 75 inch touchscreen displays from Dell replace the traditional projector and whiteboard classroom setup. These displays allow all devices to cast their screen wirelessly, not only making the setup more straight-forward, but also makes it easier for students to showcase their project work and present to their peers and potential employers.
The Kao/Hockham Training suite
The Kao/Hockham Training suite was opened by Anthony Mangnall MP (Co-Chair of the Photonics and Quantum All Party Parliamentary Group) on 5th May 2022. The wife and daughter of George Hockham, Laurence Frewin (Principal of South Devon College) and Torbay Hi-Tech cluster businesses and Universities attended the opening ceremony.
The equipment in the Training Suite has been funded using the Getting Building Fund and donations from local Hi-Tech Businesses (Davies and Bell, Lumentum, EFFECT Photonics and II-VI). Advice and support on what to install has been provided by Davies and Bell, GandH and Bay Photonics. The training suite has been designed to complement the capabilities provided at EPIC.
The training suite will be used for:
- Delivering short courses on die and wire bonding; military standard visual and destruct testing; lens and fibre alignment; fibre handling and splicing; and lidding.
- Apprentices and degree students studying engineering (electronics and photonics).
- Local businesses to support their research, development and manufacturing needs.
Esports
The Hi Tech and Digital Department at South Devon College have reacted to emerging trends and demand by launching an esports suite of courses with pathways for young people and adults. What is exciting about this new suite of skills focused esport courses is that they are not just about ‘playing’ games. These courses, at Level 2 and 3, encourage those that have a passion for gaming to develop their skills and knowledge, understanding the rapidly growing, intricate and successful industry that is esports and taking on board that it is an emerging credible option for careers.
What esports can offer:
– the opportunity to develop coding skills
– development of creative thinking mind
– development of conceptual thinking mind
– collaborative and conversing social interaction with friendship groups
– the opportunity for competition
Other features that are accessible are the sound recording booths, photography studio, video and editing studio, the e-library, and an internal student computing network for programme development and experimentation.
For more information email [email protected] or call 08000 380 123.
The Hi Tech & Digital Centre (HTDC) combines £8.3m from the Heart of the South West LEP’s Growth Deal funding from the Heart of the South West LEP, as well as funding support from European Regional Development Fund, Higher Education Funding Council for England, Garfield Weston Foundation, Torbay Council, South Devon College and private sector investment. It will be a flagship facility, alongside other Institutes of Technology developments in the country.
