Staffordshire County Council is backing calls for more funding to create extra college and training places for young people across the county and Stoke-on-Trent.
The authority says demand for post 16 places is rising, with colleges already under pressure and more learners expected over the next few years.
Pressure growing on post 16 places
A report produced by the county council and its partners says an extra 4,185 places will be needed by the 2029/30 academic year.
It says current further education provision is broadly matched to what local employers need, but there is growing pressure on space, alongside an expected rise in learner numbers and young people who are not in education, employment or training.
The campaign, called A focus on skills for growth in Staffordshire, sets out how the county council, district councils, colleges, training providers and businesses want to work together with the Department for Education to secure more investment.
An application has already been submitted for £4 million a year to help create 800 extra training places for young people in Staffordshire. A decision is still awaited.
Call for government backing
Martin Murray, acting leader and cabinet member for economy and skills at Staffordshire County Council, said young people needed access to high quality learning and training so they could build careers in the county.
He said:
“Young people are our future workforce and creating real opportunities for them is our priority.
“This means making sure they have access to high quality learning and training so they can achieve their full potential, with the positive impact that will bring to our county and communities.
“Our colleges are full beyond capacity, which shows just how good and popular Staffordshire further education and colleges are.
“We now need government to back our success and help fund an expansion so more people can get the qualifications and education they need and deserve.”
Craig Hodgson, principal of Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group and chair of Staffordshire Colleges Network, said demand was already outpacing supply.
He said:
“We are collectively determined that the county and city’s young people have access to the high-quality training they need and deserve to enable them to prosper throughout their careers.
“We know from our report that demand is already outpacing supply and without action, we risk a serious shortfall in the skilled workforce our businesses rely on.
“Further investment in training provision for young people is essential and will enable them to access higher-skilled, better-paid jobs being created locally.
“Without the necessary investment, we risk denying thousands the opportunity to build successful careers, while stalling the county’s economic growth.”
For places like Stone, where Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group is a major local provider, the issue is likely to matter to families already thinking ahead to sixth form, college and technical training options. The council’s argument is simple enough, more young people are coming through, and the space needs to keep up.
