EKC Broadstairs College launches Margate Digital Campus
Thanet District Council - Level Up
(Copyright text and images EKC Group. reproduced with kind permission)
EKC Broadstairs College has officially unveiled its new Margate Digital
Campus, boosting opportunities for people across Thanet.
The EKC Broadstairs College Margate Digital Campus is a brand-new,
state-of-the-art creative hub located in the heart of Margate. It currently
has 92 students in its 16-19 provision, with plans to grow to around 200 by
its third year.
It’s one strand of East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group), which has six
further education colleges in Ashford, Broadstairs, Canterbury, Dover,
Folkestone and Sheppey, and nine adult training centres across East Kent.
The creation of the exciting space forms part of Thanet District Council’s
Regeneration Programme, which has been funded by the UK Government.
This funding was set to create a digital and education campus with
studios, gallery, café and workshops at the former M&S building in the
High Street.
Work started on the state-of-the-art Campus in 2025. The project includes
2,000 square metres of industry-relevant training space which aims to help
future generations gain qualifications and step confidently into the
creative industry as they kick start their careers.
Courses on offer include T Levels in Animation and Illustration, Content
Creation, Digital Production, Design and Development as well as a Level 3
qualification in Visual Effects.
At the Campus’ launch event, guests explored the new industry standard
facilities, including Kent’s second largest motion capture suite.
Speaking at the launch event,
Lucy McLeod, who is the Chief Executive
Officer of EKC Group, said: “It’s been fantastic to host the launch of our
Margate Digital Campus, and I am incredibly proud of the partnership
between EKC Group and Thanet District Council, which has brought the
site to life.
“The state-of-the-art facilities showcase the exceptional equipment
available to our students, alongside an innovative curriculum designed to
prepare them for the future. We are very much looking forward to seeing
them thrive in this inspiring new environment.”
As part of the Campus development, EKC Group has established a
sector-leading partnership with Margate-based stop-motion animation
studio A+C Studios, working closely with them to shape the curriculum
and develop a brand-new T Level qualification in Animation and
Illustration.
Part of the Campus is also designated to EKC Training which is EKC
Group’s training provider. Adult courses in Maths, English, ICT, and short
courses for those looking to get into jobs in Business Administration,
Customer Service roles, Health and Social Care and Hospitality are all
offered at the Campus.
The modern classrooms have been built to support adults to develop their
skills and grow their skills. Breakout spaces allow students to relax and
meet other adult learners in between lessons, too.
Rhona Williams, Principal of EKC Training, said: “EKC Training’s provision at
the Margate Digital Campus is incredibly valuable to our adult learners and
the wider community.
“The centre offers an inspiring, modern environment with excellent
facilities that support learners to build confidence, develop new skills and
progress into meaningful opportunities.
“It plays a key role in strengthening our local community by creating
accessible pathways to learning and employment. We are proud to be part
of such a vibrant and accessible space that truly makes a difference.”
MP Polly Billington also attended the launch event and said the Campus
could create Thanet’s next creative legend.
“What’s so great about the Margate Digital Campus is that it shows that
there is a belief in Thanet,” she said.
“This is a big investment in the future of Thanet, which is our young
people,” she said.
“We’ve always had a strong heritage of creativity and art that goes all
the way back to JMW Turner, right up to the present day with Tracey Emin.
Where are the next Turners, where are the next Tracey Emins? They could
be here.”
Cllr Rick Everitt, Leader of Thanet District Council, added: “This is a cutting
edge facility.
“We know we’ve got high youth unemployment rates, we know we need to
offer training opportunities for our young people, and I think they’re going
to be really excited by this space.
“We’re also hopefully going to see more people in the high street which
will add to the revitalisation of the high street, too.”
Beverly Fordham, who is Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for
Education and Skills, also attended the event and said the facility offers
several opportunities to young people, and adults.
She said: “For me the most exciting part of this project is it’s managed to
look at the whole ethos of what we’re trying to do, which is get young
people highly skilled qualifications that exactly reflect what the industries
need.
“It also enables those older learners who need to return to access all the
facilities here. It’s an excellent digital hub for everyone.”
