South Yorkshire IoT opens in revamped college

A South Yorkshire college has been redeveloped into a modern learning and innovation centre.

Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson has completed the refurbishment of Barnsley College’s University Centre, transforming the 93-year-old art-deco building into the new South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (IoT). 

The official opening on September 25 was attended by Barnsley MPs Dan Jarvis and Dr Marie Tidball, alongside representatives from Barnsley College, GF Tomlinson, AECOM, Salix, the Department for Education and the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology.

Originally erected as Barnsley Mining and Technical College, the 1932-built facility now provides capacity for more than 1000 students and staff, featuring specialist IoT teaching spaces, collaborative learning zones, a tiered Learning Resource Centre and a ground-floor café and breakout area. 

The refurbishment converted the former open-air courtyard into a glazed atrium, creating a bright central hub.

Sustainability has been a key focus of the project, with 100 photovoltaic panels, an all-electric VRF heating and cooling system, upgraded ventilation, LED lighting, improved insulation, secondary glazing and a new electrical substation. 

The building has achieved an EPC asset A rating, setting a benchmark for low-carbon retrofits in the education sector.

G F Tomlinson also prioritised delivering social value throughout the project, with student site tours, mock interviews, apprenticeship support and donations to local charities. 

Locally sourced labour and materials contributed to enhanced economic impact, while 15.6 apprentice weeks were completed on-site.

Adrian Grocock, managing director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are delighted to deliver this landmark facility for Barnsley College and the wider South Yorkshire IoT. 

“This world-class learning environment reflects the very best in heritage refurbishment, sustainability and future-ready education design. 

“It has been a pleasure to collaborate with the client team to deliver a project that meets high technical aspirations while generating lasting benefits for the community.”

The South Yorkshire IoT forms part of a national network of 21 IoTs addressing skills gaps in engineering, health, digital and construction, with the site working in partnership with Barnsley College, Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre, DN Colleges Group, The Sheffield College, and RNN Group.

David Akeroyd, Barnsley College principal and chief executive, added: “The opening of the University Centre is a landmark moment for higher-level education in Barnsley and the wider region.

“This project has been years in the making and represents the hard work, vision and commitment of so many colleagues and partners. 

“Together, we have taken a unique building that once stood as a symbol of Barnsley’s mining and technological excellence and reimagined it for the future, while keeping it where it has always historically been – at the cutting-edge of technical education.

“This is an exciting time for the College and all our partners involved in the South Yorkshire IoT – as we look ahead to a future in which our hard work has led to increased opportunities for retraining and upskilling, more accessible and higher-quality jobs, and a productive workforce who are skilled in the right areas.”

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