Staffordshire County Council is backing a campaign to make sure further education providers across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have sufficient places for post-16 learners.
While current provision is well-aligned with the needs of local employers, an independent report produced by the authority and its partners highlights the urgent and growing pressures on the county’s FE estate and the forecast growth in learner numbers and young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). The report identified that an additional 4,185 places will be needed by 2029/30 which will require significant investment.
The ‘A focus on skills for growth in Staffordshire’ campaign and associated brochure set out how the county council, district councils, businesses and further education colleges and providers will work together with the Department for Education to secure additional investment.
Martin Murray, Acting Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“Young people are our future workforce and creating real opportunities for them is our priority.
“This means making sure they have access to high quality learning and training so they can achieve their full potential, with the positive impact that will bring to our county and communities.
“Our colleges are full beyond capacity, which shows just how good and popular Staffordshire further education and colleges are. We now need government to back our success and help fund an expansion so more people can get the qualifications and education they need and deserve.”
Craig Hodgson, Principal of Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group and Chair of Staffordshire Colleges Network, said:
“We are collectively determined that the county and city’s young people have access to the high-quality training they need and deserve to enable them to prosper throughout their careers.
“We know from our report that demand is already outpacing supply and without action, we risk a serious shortfall in the skilled workforce our businesses rely on.
“Further investment in training provision for young people is essential and will enable them to access higher-skilled, better-paid jobs being created locally. Without the necessary investment, we risk denying thousands the opportunity to build successful careers, while stalling the county’s economic growth.”
An application to secure £4 million per year to increase Staffordshire’s training provision places for 800 young people has already been submitted to the DfE which is awaiting a decision.
