Birmingham Metropolitan College has announced it will close its construction and technology college in a bid to save money…
The Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) at Brierley Hill, which runs courses on construction and technology, is set to close at the end of its lease. The move comes as the college tries to save £5m over the next 10 years. The college said some of the courses would move to Stourbridge College, which will see £1.5m investment.
The college, which has already cut 250 people from its payroll, said it was in consultation with staff about the closer of the ATC. However, it does not expect to make any redundancies. Some courses, including plastering, bricklaying, and painting and decorating, will move to the college’s Birmingham operations.
Speaking to the Birmingham Post, head of Stourbridge College Wendy Stevens said: “This decision is driven by our desire to improve provision, and represents a great opportunity for us to save money from the lease – £5 million over the next 10 years – and reinvest this in the skills needs of the area, by developing a new construction provision at our college-owned facilities in the Black Country.
“This investment provides our students with an opportunity to study at great new facilities at our main campus, where they will benefit from a wider range of learning resources and support services, including careers advice and guidance with university and job applications.
“The investment also demonstrates the college’s desire to meet local skills needs and to continuously improve teaching for all students.
“We are very clear that we want to retain all members of staff and we are currently in consultation about the changes.”
Stevens added: “We will continue to offer a full range of construction courses. Our carpentry and joinery, plumbing, electrical installation and gas provision will move to Stourbridge.
“These account for about 90 per cent of our provision at the ATC currently and we will continue to offer these, in new improved facilities at Stourbridge College, with the aim to increase provision over the coming years.”