First steps towards our City Learning Quarter
CLQ Vlog #1
In the first of a series of vlogs, Principal Mal Cowgill gives us the latest updates on our campus transformation programme.
As Mal mentions in the video, these projects would not be possible without the support of our partners. Here’s what they said about City Learning Quarter:
City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Councillor Ian Brookfield, said: “I am delighted we have secured the final piece in the jigsaw of our funding package to enable the council and college to deliver this vital scheme for the city.
“A lot of hard work has been put in by council and college representatives, supported by our local MPs and West Midlands Combined Authority, to make an overwhelming case to Government, which has now responded to our requests.
“The City Learning Quarter will have a visible and tangible impact on the City of Wolverhampton, its residents and students at City of Wolverhampton College – making a massive difference to everyday life through direct investment in skills and education.
“We are working hard with the college to ensure we not only deliver a vibrant education hub where we improve the city’s learning, apprenticeship and employment offers, but also that we retain our best talent, rather than losing people to different parts of the region.
“The new facilities will provide a vital facelift as we re-imagine our city centre, which is benefiting from £1 billion of investment overall.
“The City Learning Quarter will be an inspirational environment for people to learn in and will offer excellent connectivity to rail, bus, tram and cycle.
“We can now make our plans a reality and we will be creating an environment where everyone can flourish.
“It demonstrates the commitment this city has to investing in its citizens – not just buildings.”
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “It is fantastic news that City of Wolverhampton College has now secured funding to deliver the City Learning Quarter vision.
“A key part of my mayoral mission is to equip local people with the skills that they need to fulfil their aspirations and that employers need to help their businesses and our regional economy to thrive.
“That’s why I’m so pleased that the West Midlands Combined Authority has been able to support the City Learning Quarter by funding the college’s new technical centre in Bilston – which I cannot wait to see come to life.
“Combining our education budget with the skills and training expertise of local colleges, together we will ensure a bright future ahead for our local residents enabling them to access the high quality jobs of the future.”
Pat McFadden, MP for Wolverhampton South East, said: “I am pleased to see the City of Wolverhampton College secure the funding needed to make the City Learning Quarter concept a reality. The College plays a vital role in the skills infrastructure of the city and gives a platform for opportunity for everyone attending it. To continue to do that it needs buildings and facilities that are fit for the future. These plans will enable it to do that.”
Jane Stevenson, MP for Wolverhampton North East, said: “I was delighted to learn that City of Wolverhampton College has secured the full funding package from Government to deliver its City Learning Quarter vision, following many discussions that I and my parliamentary colleague Stuart Anderson had with the Skills Minister and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up. I was even able to show the Secretary of State himself just how exciting the plans for the City Learning Quarter are, when he visited his departmental offices in Wolverhampton.
“At the opening of its Electric Vehicle and Green Technologies Centre earlier in the year, I saw first-hand the key role that the College is playing in giving Wulfrunians the skills they need to get into emerging industries. The first-class facilities at their new campus mean that thousands more of our residents will be able to access the learning opportunities they need to thrive in their chosen career too, right on their doorstep. I look forward to seeing its progress over the coming months.”
Tom Westley DL, Chair of the Black Country LEP Board commented: “The Black Country LEP is delighted to see the transformation of Wolverhampton’s City Learning Quarter. Our funding will support the City of Wolverhampton College to enhance and improve learning opportunities within the city from apprenticeships to skills based training ensuring we retain talent within the Black Country,
especially across manufacturing and automotive industries – areas in which we excel and are beneficial to the Black Country economy.
