Olive Grove

Robertson Construction has completed the £3.9m transformation and expansion of The Sheffield College’s Olive Grove Campus into the Advanced Technology Centre (ATC), a modern hub for technical education equipped with industry-standard facilities for the next generation of students and apprentices.

Region:

Yorkshire

Project Type:

Construction

Sector:

Local Authority

Start on Site:

05/01/2026

Completion:

14/04/2026

Value Band:

£1m - 5m

Procure Via the Procure Partnerships Framework

The scheme responded to the need to upgrade ageing facilities and align the College’s provision with rapidly evolving employer and industry requirements. Existing accommodation did not fully support modern teaching in key disciplines such as engineering, motor vehicle technology, plumbing, and gas fitting, particularly in areas such as electric vehicles and digital manufacturing.

Delivered in four phases with minimal disruption

To manage this, a phased four-stage delivery approach was adopted, allowing the College to remain fully operational throughout the programme. This required close collaboration with the client and stakeholders to ensure safe segregation of construction activities, maintain access, and minimise disruption to staff and students. Additional challenges included integrating new structures with existing buildings and managing interfaces with live services and operational spaces.

A range of considerate construction methods were implemented, including the use of continuous flight auger piling to minimise vibration and reduce the impact on surrounding teaching environments. Noise levels were closely monitored throughout the works, ensuring that disruption was kept to a minimum.

Sustainability was also a key driver of delivery, with a fabric-first approach adopted alongside the installation of low-carbon energy systems and solar photovoltaic panels, contributing to a bio-solar roof and aligning with the College’s commitment to achieving Net Zero carbon.

Collaboration from day one

The Sheffield College selected the Procure Partnerships Framework to procure a contractor partner for the delivery of the Advanced Technology Centre project. This approach provided a compliant and efficient route to market, supporting early engagement and collaboration between the client, contractor, and wider project team.

The project was procured via a single-stage competitive tender process, enabling bidders to respond to a clear set of requirements and proposals for delivery. As part of the tender process, a bidder engagement session was held, providing an opportunity for potential contractors to gain a detailed understanding of the scope, objectives, and key project requirements.

The use of the framework, combined with the competitive tender approach, enabled The Sheffield College to appoint a contractor partner with the appropriate technical capability, experience, and understanding of the project’s complexity, supporting a collaborative and well-informed start to the project, and providing a strong foundation for successful delivery.

What £3.9m delivered

The completed Advanced Technology Centre provides a high-quality, industry-focused learning environment that reflects real-world working conditions. The development includes an expanded two-storey extension integrated with the existing campus, alongside upgraded workshops and teaching spaces.

Modern motor vehicle workshops with dedicated bays for electric and hybrid vehicles
Body repair and paint bays
Specialist welding areas
Immersive classroom with 360-degree projection technology
New CAD suites and innovation spaces
Enhanced learning resource areas
Reconfigured atrium and new glazed entrance
Industry-standard equipment and digital technologies throughout

A lasting impact beyond the build

The project delivered significant social value outcomes aligned with the objectives of The Sheffield College.

£2.7m+ spent with regional businesses
5 direct local FTE roles created, plus 11+ in the local supply chain
66+ weeks of apprenticeships delivered
50+ hours of staff volunteering
£2.6m+ in combined social and local economic value

The project also made a meaningful contribution to skills development and education. Engagement with local schools and colleges formed a key part of delivery, with careers events, mock interviews, and site visits providing valuable insight into the construction industry for young people, supported by employability sessions designed to prepare students for future careers.

Community engagement included environmental improvements, school engagement programmes, and support for local charities and community groups. Equality, diversity and inclusion were also embedded into the project, with targeted training delivered across both the project team and supply chain.

Environmental performance was addressed through both construction methodology and operational initiatives, with carbon reductions achieved through the use of alternative fuels such as HVO, alongside low and zero-emission vehicles across the project.

Setting a new standard for technical education

The Advanced Technology Centre has delivered a transformational impact for The Sheffield College, significantly enhancing its ability to provide high-quality technical education. The project has created a modern, flexible, and industry-aligned learning environment that supports a wide range of vocational courses, including apprenticeships, T Levels, and advanced technical qualifications.

Students now benefit from access to facilities that closely replicate real-world working environments, improving the quality of teaching and learning and better preparing them for employment. The inclusion of advanced technologies, such as electric vehicle training and immersive digital learning environments, ensures that the College remains at the forefront of technical education.

Beyond the College itself, the project contributes to the wider regional economy by supporting the development of a skilled workforce aligned to local employer needs, strengthening the College’s position as a leading provider of technical education.

Our Team Is Ready

If you’d like to discuss the right framework and delivery partner for you then please get in touch.

“This project highlights the power of collaborative procurement. Through the Procure Partnerships Framework, The Sheffield College and Robertson Construction worked together to successfully deliver a state-of-the-art Advanced Technology Centre, creating lasting benefits for students, employers, and the wider community.”

Jess Jones

Assistant Framework Manager (North)

“By working closely with The Sheffield College, students and industry partners, we have delivered a future-ready environment focused on enhancing the student experience and supporting the next generation of skills.”

Jonathan Sizer

Regional Managing Director, Robertson Construction Yorkshire & East Midlands

“By investing in new facilities to be a great place to learn, we are ensuring our students and apprentices develop the technical and digital skills that employers and the economy need.”

Angela Foulkes CBE

Chief Executive and Principal, The Sheffield College

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Yorkshire

Construction

Olive Grove

Assistant Framework Manager (North)

Procure Via the Procure Partnerships Framework

Delivered in four phases with minimal disruption

Collaboration from day one

What £3.9m delivered

A lasting impact beyond the build

Setting a new standard for technical education

Our Team Is Ready

Jess Jones

Jonathan Sizer

Angela Foulkes CBE

Quicker Procurement Timeframes

Faye Dolan

Real-Time Performance And Compliance Oversight

Faye Dolan

Exceptional Social Value And Sustainability Impact

Faye Dolan

Commercial, Contractual, & Technical Flexibility

Faye Dolan

Financial Due-Dilligence

Nathan Taylor

Regular Auditing

Nathan Taylor

Social Value is Contractual

Jack Neath

Strict Performance Standards

Nathan Taylor

Accountability

Jack Neath

Expert Advice

Jack Neath

Real-Time Dashboards

Jack Neath

Auditing and Reporting

Jack Neath

Robbie Blackhurst

Founder and Director (MCIPS)

Faye Dolan

Framework Director (MCIPS)

Tom Woolley

Framework Manager (East)

Jaime Stanton

Framework Manager (North)

Lauren Oxland

Framework Manager (West)

Chris Witterick

Framework Manager (South)

Jordan Rhoda

Framework Manager (Infrastructure)

George Smith

Project Coordinator

Alex Lindon

Framework Co-ordinator (South)

Samuel Bulmer

Project Co-ordinator

Nathan Taylor

Project Manager (NECReg)

Samantha Cousins

Framework Operations Manager

Will Cooper

Framework Co-ordinator (Midlands)

Jess Jones

Assistant Framework Manager (North)

Andrew O’Connor

Project Coordinator

Jack Neath

Social Value Advisor

Conor-Neild Crabb

Head of Strategy

Steph Smith

Finance Manager

Emily Hardy

Head of Marketing

Quicker Procurement
Timeframes