Design of new student college centre revealed

The new centre at Birmingham Metropolitan College's Brierley Hill campus will provide teaching rooms and social space to help young people with complex and specific educational needs.

Bosses today revealed the plans which have been made possible thanks to receiving a share from a £1.6 million funding pot secured by officials at Dudley Council.

The new functional independence unit will be based at the Art and Design campus, in Venture Way, subject to a successful planning application.

Those on catering courses already run the refectory on the site providing refreshments for students and staff.

Building work could start by July with the new centre open in the autumn term.

Officials in charge of foundation learning at Birmingham Metropolitan College, formally known as Stourbridge College, today said the money would help boost facilities.

Faculty director, Gill Coldicott, said: "The additional money secured by Dudley Council will mean that more students with specialist needs in the Black Country will learn how to become more independent as well as helping them to develop enterprise and commercial skills leading to increased confidence and progression to education and employment.

"The new teaching block at the Art and Design Campus will help students learn how to cook, shower and wash as well as offering additional classrooms."

Around 100 students will study courses at the new facility and up to 100 others will have the opportunity to develop other skills on site. These include preparing students for the world of work and learning to be independent with skills such as cooking, cleaning and home safety.

It is planned that two of the rooms will open into a larger space where the college hope to carry out exercise classes

Other schools and colleges have already benefited from the cash awarded through the government's Demographic Growth Capital Fund.

A total of £592,000was given to improve facilities for children aged over 16 at Pens Meadow School, in Wordsley, while Dudley College was awarded £516,244.

Pauline Sharrat, director of children's services at the council, added: "Dudley Council is really pleased to see this funding being used in such a positive way that will help young people develop skills to benefit them now and in the future."