Colleges set for huge merger

A super-college for south Staffordshire has been given the go-ahead by the Government.

It has given the green light to the proposed merger of Tamworth and Lichfield College, Cannock Chase Technical College and Rodbaston College to create South Staffordshire College.

The three colleges are merging to create a "world class" college which is more flexible and responsive to meet the needs of both learners and employers in the area.

Bosses behind the scheme say it will be well-placed to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.

The boards at each college had already agreed to merge following extensive consultation and this had been endorsed regionally by the Learning and Skills Council.

South Staffordshire College will have nearly 20,000 students and a dedicated team of more than 1,000 staff.

On the back of the plan, applications have increased by seven per cent compared with this time last year.

Spokeswoman Ranbir Sahota said: "The new college will provide students with a fuller range of courses and easier access to multiple facilities.

"Local employers and the land-based sector will also benefit as the new college will work more closely with them to assess their needs and deliver what they require to enhance their businesses and increase their competitiveness."

Staffordshire County Councillor Matthew Ellis, who represents Lichfield Rural East, said the announcement was great news for the county.

He said: "As far as I'm concerned anything which will give young people greater benefits and greater access to eduction is has got to be good for the youngsters in our area."

Councillor Ellis said he hoped the merger attract more young people to study in Staffordshire.

"I think it will make it more competitive.

"What we also have to do is improve opportunities for young people in jobs. Staffordshire as a whole is a lower wage area than the rest of the country.

"One of our key priorities has got to be to up aspirations and up wages. That means the right education, the right training and skills, and also to get better quality jobs in Staffordshire," Councillor Ellis added.