In the large open refectory, Medway UTC principal Karon Buck points out where students will be able to plug in their laptops to wall-mounted TV screens.

Down the corridor in an electronics room, she shows where a projector will be installed in front of tables with dual-screen computers.

Another large area on the first floor is set to become the home of construction-based learning. The ceiling will be left uncovered to show students what the workings of a building look like.

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A physics lab is dotted, almost randomly, with “pods” where electrics, gas and water will be fed through to each workbench.

This is the future of vocational learning in the Towns, even though it looks a long way from being finished yet.

Medway University Technical College is set to transform education for 14 to 18s who want to enter the construction and engineering sectors.

Contractors at Bowmer Kirkland are working six days a week to get the site finished in time for the first day of term on Monday, September 7.

There is a contingency plan if the work is incomplete to put students in the University of Greenwich, half a mile down the road, but Dr Buck is confident it won’t come to that.

She said: “Although it seems like there is a lot to do, we are just applying the finishing touches to a lot of our rooms ready to welcome students on the first day of term.”

Medway University Technical College will join more than 30 UTCs which have opened across the country – and is the second in Kent after Leigh UTC opened in Dartford last year.

The £11.4 million government-funded college is part of an initiative to fill the skills gap between employers and school leavers.

All students will be guaranteed an interview at the University of Greenwich, although any offers of places will depend on their grades.

Partner companies have helped formulate the curriculum, including BAE Systems, BAM Construction, Delphi, National Grid and the Federation of Small Businesses.

Young people are enthusiastic too, with 92 due to start in Year 10 and 120 in Year 12. The college will have capacity to take 150 students in each of Years 10 to 13.

Dr Buck said: “I can’t wait now. I’ve been in post for a year and spent most of the year watching a muddy field turn into a fantastic building. Now we’re just watching the equipment and furniture go in over these last few days.

“Knowing we’ve got a fantastic range of young people joining us soon is what we’ve been working towards all year.”