A LEADING borough councillor has called Basildon town centre's new college campus "a beacon of hope" for young people trying to break into tech industries.

Economic development and recovery committee chairman Cllr Aidan McGurran said South Essex College's Centre for Digital Technologies is a state-of-the-art facility that will equip the borough's young people to compete in growing digital markets.

He added: "The campus had a virtual opening in January because of the pandemic and government restrictions but students are now enrolling and before we know it they will become part of the hustle and bustle of our town centre as the ambitious regeneration process gets underway in earnest.

"National Careers Week (1-6 March) is an opportunity to highlight this wonderful facility and encourage borough residents, especially young people, to seize this opportunity which is right on their doorstep. The courses the college offers will help complement the skills gap in the borough and offers a beacon of hope after a torrid year for everyone."

The Centre for Digital Technologies houses state-of-the-art facilities and equipment for students on courses with a tech focus including IT networking, app development, games design and animation.

The three-storey project has been built on the previous market site thanks to a partnership between Basildon Council, Homes England and South Essex College.

Areas of the building have been modelled on tech sector offices, giving that innovative 'Google' feel to a lot of the open plan spaces. Students will be able to experience working in this kind of modern environment, preparing them to enter the industry.

Basildon Counbcil has expounded the virtues of the new look town centre, saying it is bouncing back. a statement says: "With the regeneration of the town centre creating 5,000 new jobs, a new multi-use arena, outdoor entertainment, more cultural spaces and activity, along with more restaurants, shops and a proud mix of independent retailers.

"The new Youth Zone will provide more opportunities for every 8-19-year-old and a new improved bus and train station will make it easier to get around, along with improvements to 20 miles of cycling and pedestrian routes. In short, the town centre will once again become the beating heart of Essex."

For more information about the courses on offer at the new Basildon campus, visit www.southessex.ac.uk