Earlier today (April 14), Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) was officially named as one of four national Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) in England. 

As a TEC, NSCG will provide employer-led programmes which will bridge critical skill gaps and create direct routes into well-paid, highly skilled employment for young people and adults. 

Following a successful bid to the Department for Education (DfE), the college will play "a central role in securing the UK's skills pipeline for the Advanced Manufacturing sector". 

A key component of the proposal is "a £10M, purpose-built Advanced Manufacturing Hub in Stafford" which would be in use by 2029. 

The hub would be located adjacent to the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology on Castle Street "to maximise efficiencies and create a powerhouse of technical expertise and resources." 

According to NSCG, "the curriculum will be developed around 'frontier technologies' that are reshaping the global economy", this would include Automation and Robotics, Industry 4.0 and Smart Factories, Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing), Clean Energy and Low-Carbon Manufacturing. 

What the TEC could look like (image via NSCG)

The college will aim to bridge the gap between the West Midlands and North West manufacturing corridors and will be collaborating with other colleges and respected industry partners such as GE Vernova, Hitachi, Indurent, Moog, Siemens and the Applied Materials, Research & Commercialisation Company (AMRICC).  

Therefore, ensuring that knowledge and resources are being shared regionally and across the country. 

advertisement

Speaking about the announcement, Craig Hodgson, Principal & Chief Executive of NSCG, said: "We are absolutely delighted that NSCG has been chosen to lead the development of a new cross-regional Technical Excellence College.  

"This achievement is testament to the strength of our collaborative approach. 

"We are particularly grateful for the support from our local MPs and major industry partners - including Siemens, Hitachi and GE Vernova - who supported our application with a fantastic vote of confidence in our ability to deliver the high-quality technical education that our economy demands.  

"By strengthening our facilities and enhancing our specialist training in Advanced Manufacturing, we are not just providing our students with a world-class education; we are ensuring they have a clear, direct path into technically skilled, well-paid careers.   

"We look forward to working with our employer network and partner colleges to ensure this investment drives lasting opportunity for our learners and sustained economic growth for our region, and beyond." 

Leigh Ingham, MP for Stafford, Eccleshall and the villages, added: "NSCG is so deserving of this national recognition, which brings with it significant government investment.  

"Creating opportunities for young people is one of my top priorities as an MP, and where better to do it than in advanced manufacturing, which opens up access to well-paid, skilled careers in one of the most exciting sectors in the country.   

"I'm so incredibly proud to have worked with the brilliant NSCG team and other MPs to help make this happen." 

This is a sponsored article.

If it wasn't for sponsors we wouldn't be able to bring you local news content focusing on all things Stafford!

If you own a local business and would like to sponsor us, get in touch at [email protected].