A new future unlocked: SSIoT building opens its doors to innovation 

Crawley College recently unveiled it’s new state-of-the-art Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology (SSIoT) building. 

The £15 million facility will help employers develop the skilled workforce needed to thrive in engineering, construction, and digital technologies – providing people across Sussex and Surrey with access to world-class training. 

The college was honoured to welcome so many wonderful guests including MP for Crawley, Peter Lamb, who officially opened the fantastic new building by cutting the ribbon. 

During the event, representatives from partner universities, colleges, and employers showcase their strengths in technology, engineering and digital skills, and highlight the new courses and opportunities available through the SSIoT. 

Tours were conducted to ensure that guests could view the new exciting facilities, which includes brand new construction, engineering and digital ‘Learning Factories’, designed to be inclusive for all students. 

Among those who attended the opening was Julius Kenyi, Project Manager at Amiri Construction for the SSIOT build, he said: 

the SSIOT build, he said: 

“We started this project back in May last year… so this building has been my home since then, where I am stood is the finished product, and we are happy with the opportunity that has ben given to us by Crawley College and the Chichester College Group.

“I have had groups of students coming over, during the building, to watch what activities are being done on site – I had I had students who are future electricians, future brick layers and future carpenters…which has given students the opportunity to learn from us on site.” 

The SSIoT is a unique partnership between Chichester College Group, the University of Brighton, the University of Sussex, the University of Chichester, and Nescot.  

Paul Rolfe, Director of SSIoT, said: “The official opening of the Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology at Crawley College today marks a major milestone for our region’s future. Having all our key stakeholders—from local universities and the council to leading employers and community partners—here to witness the launch, along with the official opening by Peter Lamb MP, truly underscores the collaborative spirit driving this initiative.

“This Institute isn’t just a new building; it’s a vital, state-of-the-art hub dedicated to equipping our workforce with the higher-level technical skills businesses desperately need. We’re ready to start delivering the talent pipeline that will power the economic growth of Sussex and Surrey.”

The SSIoT will play an ongoing role in delivering the Government’s Technology Strategy, supporting regional projects such as Gatwick’s expansion, net-zero construction, and growth of digital industries.  

To learn more about the Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology, click here.