Multi-million pound engineering college could come to Cannock

Chiefs say they are in ‘advanced talks’ with a major backer over the college.

Cannock Chase District Council leader George Adamson has said the project – part of a wider £6.5 million injection of cash – would allow students from Cannock to study locally, rather than travelling to Walsall or Lichfield.

It comes following the closure of Cannock college – when teaching stopped at the South Staffordshire College campus amid financial pressures.

Councillor Adamson says the new college would fill the void left after its closure in July last year.

He said: “We’re looking to improve economic prospects in the district – school shortages are a major problem and in the 21st century we need young people to be learning skills.

There are various things – we’re looking at an engineering college as we are short on that skills set.

“We are in quite advanced talks with one major company about it.

"It would be a training establishment to meet the needs of young people. We want it based in Cannock Chase. We don’t want them to have to travel.

"A lot of young people are having to go to Walsall and Lichfield after Cannock college closed.”

The college would be built under the £6.5 million District Investment Fund, which is being established this year.

The money, which will come from the receipts of land sales, will will be used on a ‘case-by-case basis’ to support schemes which increase prosperity in Cannock Chase.

Examples could include infrastructure, skills support, town centre redevelopment and projects that involve creation of new jobs and business growth.

No part of the fund will be derived from council tax.

Councillor Adamson described the closure of the college in Cannock as a ‘betrayal’ when it was first announced back in May last year.

When open, the college had around 20,000 students on its books and had undergone a £6 million refurbishment just four years before.