Nestled in the heart of the University Centre Maidstone (UCM) building at the Oakwood Park complex lies a state-of-the-art life sciences laboratory and environmental chamber. The laboratory, operated by MidKent College,
welcoming students from Sport, Science and Healthcare disciplines to train and study in a modern monitoring and testing facility.
Industry standard fitness and lab equipment is complemented by the chamber, which can be used to test the effects of environmental conditions on exercise performance, recovery times, and medical conditions.
Jointly funded by the College and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), investment in the laboratory is a direct response to the growth of Maidstone’s science and healthcare sector, and in particular job creation at Kent Medical Campus.
The College, rated Good by Ofsted and with a strong track record of preparing students for employment, works in partnership with local employers to ensure that its programmes and apprenticeships meet the skills needs of local businesses. It hopes that this new resource will help local people gain the skills, knowledge and experience they need to secure these new employment opportunities.
Simon Cook, Principal of MidKent College, said: “The anticipated growth in science and healthcare in Kent and Medway creates a significant demand for skills from employers looking to develop their businesses here.
This investment will help to provide those skills. The study programmes we will introduce in the new laboratory will help us to meet the needs of those employers, and prepare local people to secure and develop their careers in the sector.”
