South Staffordshire College’s AgriSTEM Academy welcomes first learners

As the new academic year commences, South Staffordshire College are delighted to welcome the first learners through the door of their new Rodbaston based AgriSTEM Academy. The learners, who are working towards qualifications in motor vehicle maintenance and motorsport were welcomed to their new AgriTech building on Monday 12th September, after contractor G F Tomlinson formally handed the keys to phase one of the development to the College last week.
To celebrate the key milestone, staff from South Staffordshire College met with the team from
G F Tomlinson, Mabers Architects, Armsons Surveyors and David Frost CBE, Chair of the Stoke and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership on Thursday 15th September to enjoy a tour of the outstanding new facility and mark what is a landmark moment for the College. There was also the opportunity to meet some of the learners who will be amongst the first to benefit from the wide range of facilities at the new Academy, including construction vehicle simulators, renewable energies workshops, automotive /hybrid engineering workshops and multi-occupation construction areas.

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership has funded two-thirds of the AgriSTEM development through its Growth Deal Fund. Following his visit to the new Academy last week, LEP Chairman David Frost CBE, said: “It is great to see the first students starting their courses in these impressive new facilities.
“Improving skills levels in science and technology subjects is vital to help our economy grow, creating more and better jobs and a bright future for our young people. The agri-tech sector in particular will be a key part of growing the Staffordshire economy and AgriSTEM has an important role to play in this.”

In addition to the new AgriTech building, The AgriSTEM Academy, will also see the restoration of the historic Granary building, which will provide over 1000m of additional learning space. Promising to transform the scale and quality of industry relevant training in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) and Agricultural Engineering & Technology (AgriTech) sectors, the Academy sees the introduction of new courses in subjects including agricultural engineering, landbased technology and advanced manufacturing.

Graham Morley, Chief Executive Principal of South Staffordshire College says “We’re absolutely thrilled to be welcoming the first learners to the AgriSTEM Academy and would like to wish them well with their studies. We’re very proud to be able to provide individuals and businesses from across the region access to practical training that is unavailable anywhere else in Staffordshire. Seeing the Academy come to life as the new term commences is extremely rewarding and we’d like to thank all of those who have played a crucial role in making this fantastic new facility a reality.”

Chris Flint, Director of G F Tomlinson adds “Completion of Phase 1, the new AgriTECH building, marks a significant milestone in this development. Our team have worked closely with the College, consultants and our local supply chain partners to successfully deliver this phase on time and we are delighted to see the doors open to motor vehicle students.
Works on the refurbishment of the old Granary Building, have been taking place alongside AgriTECH and are progressing well. We look forward to handing over this final phase to the College in the coming months.”
Interested in becoming one of the first to benefit from the fantastic facilities at the AgriSTEM Academy? It’s not too late! South Staffordshire College are still enrolling for courses and apprenticeships starting now!

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