THE first phase of a £12 million investment in Somerset College of Arts and Technology started on Wednesday (September 19).

SCAT is set to transform over the next four years as the new buildings go ahead in three phases.

On Wednesday the college principal and chief executive Alison Scott and the chairman of governors Ian Smith officially launched the work by starting the foundation work on the new £4.2 million technology centre.

The college says this state-of-the-art technical facility centre will offer vital services for the growth of Somerset's economy.

SCAT hopes to hear soon that it has been awarded Beacon status for its innovative ILC system of integrated learning centres. The technology centre will provide the third of these at the college as well as IT skills rooms, teaching areas and a terrace.

Contractors Rokbuild this week unveiled a concept plan for the entire campus redesign by 2005 but stressed that it could be subject to considerable change.

The technology centre is a three-storey building with a workshop block. SCAT, which has 11,000 students and 1,000 staff, says it has prioritised the building phases around the needs of the local economy. The second phase concentrates on the redesign and refurbishment of existing buildings to supply facilities for service industries and health and social care learning programmes.

This will include the creation of a shopping plaza where in house businesses such as the hair and beauty salon, the travel agency, bakery, restaurants and art shop will be set along a mall at the from of the college. The public will be able to use these as well. More than 70 per cent of industry in Somerset is service-related.

The third phase covers art and design and performing arts to include outdoor performing arts space and conference facilities.

The aim is to have the whole redesign completed by 2005. The technology centre should open next September.

Jo Matthews said that SCAT was aiming to become a 24-hour campus with on-line learning facilities, partnerships with feeder schools such as Court Fields in Wellington and West Somerset. Break-ing the mould of 9 to 5 activity would also help with car and transport problems.

Mr Pike said building work had been planned to ensure the minimum disruption to college life.