Kangan Institute's Built and Natural Environments (BNE) department was proud to welcome its first students to the Institute's new learning commons on Friday 15th February 2013. Housed in Building P in Broadmeadows campus, the new learning commons is a critical element in Kangan Institute's blended learning strategy and provides students with access to online learning and assessment, learning support and small group facilitation within a supportive space. The design of the new facility was based on extensive research conducted over 2012 and features both digital and practical learning resources to support training delivery to over 800 BNE apprentices, pre-apprentices and post trade students. The new space may accommodate up to 75 students at a time. Technical group general manager Phill Murphy and department manager Chris Arnold were on hand on Friday to welcome students to the new learning commons. "This is a great step into the future for trade training at the Broadmeadows campus," said Phill. "The opening of the new learning commons reflects the single greatest innovation in trade training to occur at Kangan Institute recently and will assist in ensuring that our students gain the education and skills needed to excel in their chosen jobs." Blended learning is one of the latest things students can look forward to at Kangan Institute. Spanning across all departments and study areas, this approach combines face-to-face, online and practical skills development to offer students greater flexibility over their learning methods and pace of learning. The new learning commons is one of many exciting blended learning initiatives at Kangan Institute - click here for more information about blended learning.