A traditional ground breaking ceremony has been held to mark the first official day of construction on the brand new Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology backed by Keele University. 

Specialising in higher level technical programmes, the new employer led Institute brings together the training offer of Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group in collaboration with Keele University, Burton and South Derbyshire College and Axia Solutions, with curriculum influenced by key employer partners including; Dell, Hitachi, MOOG, Siemens and St Modwen Logistics.   

Keele is the higher education partner on the project, and Vice-Chancellor Professor Trevor McMillan OBE and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Ormerod joined local MPs, council leaders, representatives from the Department for Education and partner organisations, and the Institute of Technology Managing Director, Georgina Barnard to celebrate the official start of works on the site.   

Supported by DfE funding, the building will be complete by spring 2025 and ready to welcome learners from September 2025, with an expected college community of over 3,500 learners by academic year 2028/9. 

Institutes of Technology are a £300M government backed investment designed to significantly increase the number of learners participating in higher technical education and provide the skills that businesses need both now and in the future, to support regional and national productivity. The Institute will specialise in delivering qualifications in demand sectors such as modern methods of construction, advanced engineering, high value manufacturing, digital and health/life sciences. 

Professor Trevor McMillan OBE said: “We’re delighted to be part of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Institute of Technology. This will put Staffordshire firmly on the map as a leader in digital innovation, sustainability and technology, for the benefit of both students and businesses across the region.” 

Managing Director, Georgina Barnard, said: "I’m delighted that work is now underway on our brand new £22.5M Institute of Technology building. We are proud to bring this exciting new facility to the heart of Stafford and excited to see the significant impact it will have on the entire Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire region.   

"The Institute is committed to developing accessible routes into higher technical education, and the new hub building will provide learners with an inspirational learning environment, the latest industry standard equipment and an agile, responsive course offer designed in collaboration with our employer partners to deliver the higher technical skills that the region needs.” 

Principal and Chief Executive of Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, the lead institution behind the bid to bring the Institute of Technology to Staffordshire, Craig Hodgson, added: “I must extend my thanks to the employers and education partners who have supported the development of the Institute to this point.  Great progress has been made to date, and we are excited to see how these partnerships will continue to benefit our learners for many years to come.  

“Collaboration is one of the values at the heart of our strategy, and with this in mind, we look forward to welcoming new partners, South Staffordshire College and Stoke on Trent College into the fold in the coming months. Together we are committed to delivering innovative, high quality technical and professional education that meets the needs of industry in our region, both now and in the future.”