Northern Regional College celebrates major milestone with handover of new Ballymena Campus

Karl McKillop, Deputy Managing Director at Heron Bros, Sean Laverty, Chief Operating Officer of Northern Regional College and Mel Higgins, Principal and Chief Executive of Northern Regional College, pictured at the College’s new Ballymena campus to mark the significant milestone of its official handover.

Northern Regional College has marked a significant moment in its development with the official handover of its new £55 million Ballymena Campus from main contractor Heron Bros.

The landmark development, fully funded by the Department for the Economy, is part of a wider £101 million capital investment across the College’s estate, which also includes the recently completed Causeway Campus in Coleraine.

Principal and Chief Executive of Northern Regional College, Mel Higgins, and Chief Operating Officer Sean Laverty, met onsite with Karl McKillop, Deputy Managing Director of Heron Bros., to celebrate the handover of the modern new facility.

The campus, situated on the former Farm Lodge site, is due to welcome students for the 2025/26 academic year beginning this September.

Designed with a strong emphasis on innovation, accessibility, and industry-focused learning, the 16,800m² campus spans five storeys and includes a standalone Sports Zone. It will accommodate around 1,800 learners annually, consolidating all of Ballymena’s course provision under one roof.

Purpose-built for modern learning

From September 2025, all vocational, technical, and professional education at Ballymena will be delivered at the new site.

A key highlight is the Advanced Technologies Department, occupying 5,000m² across the ground and first floors, which will support training in:

• Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical and Electronic Engineering

• Motor Vehicle and Construction Engineering

• Trades including Electrical Installation, Plumbing, Carpentry, Joinery, and Bricklaying

In addition, the new campus boasts a training restaurant and hair and beauty salons, offering students hands-on experience in realistic, customer-facing environments.

Innovative design and community focus

Architectural highlights include an open-plan staircase to encourage collaboration and breakout learning, along with a dedicated Innovation Zone designed to host cross-curricular activities, project-based learning, and community engagement.

Students and staff will also benefit from panoramic views, looking east across the ECOS landscape and westwards towards the St. Patrick’s Regeneration Site.

A transformational moment for the region

Karl McKillop, Deputy Managing Director at Heron Bros, Sean Laverty, Chief Operating Officer of Northern Regional College and Mel Higgins, Principal and Chief Executive of Northern Regional College, pictured at the College’s new Ballymena campus to mark the significant milestone of its official handover.

Principal and Chief Executive Mel Higgins described the handover as a defining moment:

“To take possession of our new Ballymena campus is a hugely proud moment for everyone involved in this landmark project. It represents the culmination of years of planning, consultation and teamwork and I would like to recognise the Department for the Economy’s continued investment in our estate.

“The facilities here are truly world-class and will allow us to broaden our curriculum and support students with industry-relevant skills in an inspiring, modern environment. This new campus reaffirms our commitment to delivering high-quality further education that meets the evolving needs of learners and employers.

“It will play a vital role in strengthening our links with the local community, helping to bridge the skills gap and contribute meaningfully to the region’s economic growth.”

Sean Laverty, Chief Operating Officer, added:

“The new Ballymena campus will provide our staff and students with the space, technology and resources they need to thrive. From the innovation-led learning zones to the sector-leading engineering and construction workshops, the campus has been designed to inspire learners and equip them with the skills to succeed in the world of work, now and into the future.”

Karl McKillop, Deputy Managing Director of Heron Bros., said:

“Delivering this second state-of-the-art facility for Northern Regional College has been a privilege for everyone at Heron Bros.

“Following the success of the Causeway Campus project, we are delighted to have reached handover stage on the Ballymena Campus, another transformational project that will have a lasting impact on education and skills in Northern Ireland.

“These projects stand as a testament to collaborative working and innovative construction, and we are proud to have been part of them.”

The new campus is poised to be a beacon of learning, skills development and regional regeneration.

Prospective students can explore full-time and part-time courses beginning September 2025 by visiting www.nrc.ac.uk.