Sir Gavin Williamson joined Stafford College at the building site of the new Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology in Stafford.
The facility, supported by Department for Education funding, will be complete by spring 2025 and ready to welcome learners from September 2025, with an expected college community of over 3,500 learners by academic year 2028/9.
Specialising in higher level technical programmes, the new employer led SoTSIoT brings together the training offer of Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group in collaboration with Keele University, Burton and South Derbyshire College and Axia Solutions, with curriculum influenced by key employer partners including; Dell, Hitachi, MOOG, Siemens and St Modwen Logistics.
The SoTSIoT will specialise in delivering qualifications in demand sectors such as modern methods of construction, advanced engineering, high value manufacturing, digital and health/life sciences.
Sir Gavin joined MP for Stafford, Theo Clarke, alongside representatives from the Department for Education and SoTSIoT partner organisations. Managing Director of the Institute of Technology, Georgina Barnard, dug into the soil to commemorate the commencement of works on the site.
Georgina Barnard, said: "Today’s ceremony marks an exciting construction milestone and I’m delighted that work is now underway on our brand new £22.5M Institute of Technology building. We are proud to bring this exciting new facility to the heart of Stafford and excited to see the significant impact it will have on the entire Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire region.
The SoTSIoT is committed to developing accessible routes into higher technical education, and the new hub building will provide learners with an inspirational learning environment, the latest industry standard equipment and an agile, responsive course offer designed in collaboration with our employer partners to deliver the higher technical skills that the region needs.”
Sir Gavin said: “The Ground Breaking Event for the new Institute of Technology represents an exciting future for our educational institutions in Staffordshire. The national skills gap limits the capabilities of British industries, and we have so many brilliant sectors that could expand with better recruitment. I’ve always encouraged a focus on skills-based qualifications rather than purely academic pursuits, as they are just as rewarding and attractive to employers. I’m proud that the technology institute will be built right here in Staffordshire.”
