A major milestone has been reached in the development of the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology (GMIoT), as the final steel beam was signed and installed at the University of Salford’s Peel Park Campus.

The symbolic steel signing ceremony brought together partners, construction teams, and stakeholders to celebrate progress on the £14.3 million facility, which will become a flagship centre for higher technical education in the region.

The new GMIoT building is designed to support advanced, real-world learning across a broad range of disciplines, including construction, engineering, computing, creative media, business, and health sciences.

Jo Purves, Pro Vice-Chancellor Partnerships and Global Engagement at the University of Salford, said:

“It was great to be part of this celebratory steel signing event for the GMIoT. Over the past few years, we have been working hard with our further education and industry partners to create a new home for our popular technical skills courses. Collaboration and dedication have been key to getting us where we are today. Having this ambitious project on our doorstep here in Salford makes us extremely proud. The construction is developing at pace and I’m excited to see it open to our students in early 2026.”

Claire Foreman, Director of the GMIoT, added:

“Watching our dedicated GMIoT learning centre develop from the initial concept stages to now, just months away from completion, has been extremely inspiring. I’m happy to say today’s event marks not just progress, but also purpose. The new centre will really put Greater Manchester on the map when it comes to higher technical education, and I’m delighted that students will benefit from a cutting-edge environment where every learner feels empowered to gain essential skills, grow and succeed.”

The state-of-the-art 1840m² building, being delivered by contractors Tilbury Douglas, is on track for completion by the end of 2025. Designed by jmarchitects, the facility features a low-carbon build with sustainable design elements including a green roof with photovoltaic panels, a living wall irrigated by rainwater harvesting, and a suite of digitally enabled learning spaces. These include flexible labs, a prototyping workshop, and ICT studios, all set within close proximity to the university’s landscaped Peel Park.

Martin Horne, Regional Director at Tilbury Douglas, commented:

“This steel signing marks a powerful moment in the delivery of a facility that will have a real and lasting impact. We’re proud to be delivering a highly sustainable, future-focused building that reflects the ambitions of the University and its partners. The GMIoT will play a vital role in equipping learners with the technical skills that industry demands. It’s a privilege to help bring this vision to life in the heart of Salford.”

Led by the University of Salford with Wigan & Leigh College as lead Further Education partner, the GMIoT unites a range of colleges and employers across the Greater Manchester region. The centre will host GMIoT students from the university while also welcoming students and staff from partner institutions for collaborative teaching and engagement with industry.

The new site forms a key part of the University’s Campus Connectivity Plan – a wide-ranging redevelopment of research, teaching, and public space infrastructure. It also complements the Crescent Salford masterplan, delivered in partnership with Salford City Council and the English Cities Fund (ECF) – the most ambitious regeneration of the university estate to date.