Derby College Group (DCG) last week held a ground-breaking ceremony to begin construction of the upcoming East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) at its Roundhouse Campus. The Institute of Technology (IoT) at DCG is poised to be a beacon of excellence, with collaboration between academia and industry to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in technology-related fields. The facility will feature ‘state of the art’ classrooms and collaborative workspaces designed to provide students with a hands-on and immersive learning experience.
Ellis Boyall, site manager for
Davlyn Construction previously studied at DCG and now is back at the Roundhouse site to manage the IoT build. While at DCG, Ellis initially studied carpentry, then went onto a level 3 NVQ diploma in construction contracting operations at the Hudson and Johnson buildings, completed a foundation degree in construction and the built environment and then gained a Bachelor of Science Degree (Hon) from
Nottingham Trent University.
He has considerable experience in construction, and has led many projects, including locally, at Brackenfield Send School in Long Eaton, Mickleover Primary School and Loxley House in Nottingham. During his time with DCG, he helped with the construction work of buildings at Broomfield Hall Campus.
Mr Boyall said of his role at the college: “I didn’t anticipate I would be coming back. However, I am absolutely delighted to lead the on-site work for the construction of the IoT and it is bringing back many fond memories. I studied at the College in 2009 and 2014 and it is great for me to be able to apply my skills at the college, as DCG has significantly helped me in my career. It is particularly exciting, being involved in the building of the IoT, as the new building will help the next generation of learners on their career journey. I also hope I can inspire others to consider joining the construction industry.”
During 2024, Mr Boyall will be addressing DCG students and giving an insight into his career path and working in construction and he will also be hosting tours around the site for the students to help them understand the elements that they may be working on within their classrooms.
High-tech buildJoe Charles, construction director at Davlyn Construction, said: “When it came to the IoT build at the Roundhouse, Ellis was a natural choice to lead this. He is excellent at problem-solving and excels at leading teams. It is a pleasure to be working with DCG on this construction and we are really looking forward to seeing the results of this high-tech build in just under a year.”
The East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) is a partnership between DCG, the University of Derby, Loughborough College, and Loughborough University, with the aim to deliver a world-class, research-orientated, employer-led learning facilities, founded on clean growth and digital delivery. The EMIoT is working closely with global powerhouse employers, including Rolls-Royce, Uniper, Toyota, National Grid ESO, Alstom, Fujitsu, and Bloc Digital to ensure programmes deliver a workforce with the necessary future-ready skills.
Kate Martin, deputy principal of DCG said of the milestone, said: “It is great to have Ellis back, and on this project. It also good to be working with Davlyn, as a local family business who have built their reputation on quality builds. The Institute of Technology represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of education and training at DCG.
This facility will not only meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in the technology sector but will also serve as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and industry partnerships. By collaborating across the FE and HE sectors, the development of the IoT will increase chances for those wishing to retrain or upskill mid-career as well as young people entering the workforce.”
Supported by Department of Education funding, the East Midlands Institute of Technology will be open in August 2024, with a college community of 2,000 learners by academic year 2027. The new facility as part of the EMIoT is being built at the front of the Stephenson building on the Roundhouse site in Derby.