New college campus moves closer with government funds on horizon

The £32.5 million Institute of Technology (IoT) will be built by Dudley College and was given government approval in April.

It will be the latest development for the college and will come alongside the extension of the Midland Metro to the town.

College principal Lowell Williams said the wheels were in motion on the Government's commitment to provide £18m of funding, which will be matched by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Minutes from an LEP meeting stated: "Lowell Williams advised that contracts were imminent for the Government's £18m contribution to build the IOT, this was predicated on the LEP’s match funding element, the bulk of which would be to purchase equipment to fit out the facility."

The smooth delivery of the cash will allow the new facility to progress on the planned timetable. The sprawling, three-storey IoT is due to open in September 2021 on Castle Hill and will cater for more than 2,000 students by 2025.

It will focus on apprenticeships and offer courses in advanced manufacturing, modern construction methodologies and medical engineering.

Dudley College was one of a number of college's to bid for cash as part of a £170m government funding pot for new skills institutions.

The centre will be built on a 4,750 sq m plot on Castle Hill by the planned new Metro stop, the very Light Rail Innovation Centre and the Black Country Living Museum.

Welcoming government approval earlier this year Mr Williams said: "This is a marvellous opportunity for the people and businesses of the Black Country and the wider West Midlands region.

"They will have access to a national leading skills centre right on their doorstep. The role of the IoT will be to develop the technical skills base of the region in sectors where there are skills shortages and high demand."