South Staffordshire College signs agreement with Council for new FE hub

Following the decision to open a new further education hub in Cannock town centre this September, the College and Cannock Chase Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

The memorandum sets out the principles behind establishing the new hub and how the partnership between the College and the Council will plan for its success over the coming years.

Key to those principles is raising the skills and qualification levels in the District and meeting the needs of local and regional businesses for specific skills in high demand and growth sectors.

The Cannock Chase Skills and Innovation Hub will be based at the Cannock campus location owned by South Staffordshire College.

The first students are due to commence study in September and will eventually be able to access further (and in some cases higher) education across seven course areas as well as gain apprenticeship opportunities.

The full list of courses being offered over the next few years are:

• Engineering / Advanced Manufacturing 
• Electrical Installation and Electrical Engineering 
• Energy
• Construction
• Digital
• Health and Social Care and Early Years 
• Mathematics and English for employability 

New signage has now been erected on site, while discussions continue to create an Engineering Academy within the Hub with funding of £500,000 available from the Council, and a new retail academy provided by Walsall College which will link to the McArthurGlen Designer Outlook development.

Claire Boliver, Chief Executive Principal at South Staffordshire College said: “The district’s economy is growing, and our intention is that the new Skills and Innovation Hub will boost it further by equipping learners with the skills and qualifications they need to meet the needs of employers. This is a really positive initiative for Cannock Chase, and we look forward to working with the Council and welcoming the first intake of students in September.” 

Councillor George Adamson, Leader of the Council said: “The partnership is also about finding new ways of working with schools in Cannock Chase and ensuring there can be genuine progression into work or to gain higher level qualifications.”

More details on courses provided by South Staffordshire College are available by calling 0300 456 24 24.