A COUNCILLOR has welcomed plans for a £34million investment in further education provision across Staffordshire.
The county is set to benefit from the money to help expand facilities and create new training opportunities.
The funding will support projects across the county, including in Lichfield where creative and digital spaces will be expanded.
Cllr Robin Hall, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for economy and skills and Reform UK member for Burntwood South, said:
"This is fantastic news for Staffordshire and a major investment in our young people, our businesses and our economy.
"Demand for further education places continues to grow, so expanding our colleges and investing in modern, high-quality training facilities is essential if we are to give more young people the opportunity to develop the skills employers need.
"This funding will help strengthen our skills pipeline in sectors that are vital to Staffordshire’s future, including construction, engineering, digital technologies and health.
"It is also an important step towards our longer-term ambition of securing £104million of investment over the next five years to ensure our further education provision can meet future demand and support economic growth across the county."
Staffordshire County Council is also awaiting the outcome of a separate funding bid to strengthen support for young people who are not in education, employment or training.
Cllr Hall added:
"My thanks go to everyone who worked so hard to develop these successful bids.
"This is a significant achievement and demonstrates what can be delivered when we work together to invest in Staffordshire’s future."
