Revamp will house 450 more South Staffs students

Up to 450 extra students could be taken on at South Staffordshire College when the £6 million rebuild of its Cannock campus is completed, it has been revealed.

Principal Graham Morley today told how the student roll could rise by between 10 and 15 per cent following the refurbishment which will accommodate more students.

It could see numbers at the campus swell from 3,000 to 3,450 and possibly lead to new jobs.

The historic building in The Green – a former mining college – is having an overhaul to bring it up to date, college chiefs say.

Mr Morley said: "The location of our campus is at the heart of the community and the new development should encourage even more people to learn new skills.

"We can't be certain of the number of people enrolling with us from September 2013. However, being recognised for two consecutive years as the most successful college in the county as well as modern facilities to learn in, may well lead to increased numbers of students coming to us."

The college say it is impossible to say how many students enrol each year, as many sign up as the year progresses. There were 3,000 who began courses in September last year.

Mr Morley said: "Some colleges in the UK who have had major improvements to their buildings have seen a 10 to 15 per cent increase when their college also delivers a high-quality service.

"We've already seen an increased number of local people and those further afield from towns just a bus ride away, choosing South Staffordshire College as their first choice.

"I'm sure when we have even better facilities, we will see even more people flocking to Cannock."

When asked if the refurbishment will generate more jobs, Mr Morley said: "We are already a major employer in the area with 1,000 local people working within the college.

He added: "More students could lead to more jobs not just for teachers but also support staff."

During the refurbishment period, courses will still be delivered in Cannock, either at the nearby Progress Centre at the White House or Crown House in Beecroft Road, which has been leased for one year.

The project is on track to finish in September next year, with the main focal point being a new glass-roofed atrium at its centre.

The building historically operated as a mining college between 1929 and 1993.