The £48 million transformation of the Roundhouse at Pride Park into stunning new facilities for Derby College has been officially handed over and the first staff have moved in. 

East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership invested £4.5m into the development as part of their commitment to regenerating brownfield land and boosting skills levels in the region.

Some of the 2,500 students who will be working at the new vocational campus this September have been given a sneak preview of the facilities and were invited to witness the official handover of the development by contractors Bowmer & Kirkland and Maber architects.

Bowmer & Kirkland Chairman John Kirkland OBE also took the opportunity to launch a £1,000 bursary which will be awarded to a Derby College student next year to support them in their studies.  Students will now be invited to apply and the bursary is due to be presented in the Autumn term.

Students were then given a tour of the campus where a number of vocational courses will be based: Engineering, ICT, Business, Care, Early Years, Plumbing, Electrical, Gas, Joinery, Hair & Beauty, Art & Design, Catering & Hospitality, and Preparation for Life & Work.

They also saw for the first time some of the magnificent interpretation artwork which brings to life the history of the building and the 19th century industrial era and which will add to the visitor experience for the general public when parts of the site open this October as a heritage centre.

The Grade II listed Roundhouse, built in 1839 and other former railway buildings have been renovated and repaired and cleverly combined with contemporary new buildings.

The site includes:

• The Roundhouse which is the social hub of the site - open to students and the general public

• The adjacent Carriage Shop will house the library and learning resources centre and a multi-purpose theatre.

• The Stephenson building - after famous railway engineer George Stephenson

• The Kirtley building - after Matthew Kirtley who was the Midlands Railways' first Locomotive and Carriage Superintendent and devised the system still used today for standardising the manufacture of machine tools

• The Francis Thompson building named after the original architect of the site

• The Engine Shed which will house the new training restaurant. 

Harry Crocker, 17, of Littleover, who will be studying manufacturing engineering at the Roundhouse in September, said he was impressed:  "It's a very well designed building and it's going to be really fun to come here in September."

Wesley Simms, 17, of Chellaston, said the building was much bigger than he thought.  The engineering student said: "The main refectory looks amazing. I like how they have kept the original design all the way through."

Brian Goddard, emda's Head of Property, commented:  "This campus will provide students with a 21st century learning experience in a stimulating and dynamic environment.  We're pleased to have supported the project as part of our vision for a flourishing region."

Other project funders were the Heritage Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Fund and the Learning and Skills Council.  The development is also a flagship site in Derby Cityscape's masterplan to bring £2 billion investment into Derby city centre.