Kathie McInnes, StokeonTrent Live
Summary
Stoke-on-Trent College has secured millions of pounds in Government aid to help wipe out its debts.
Principal Denise Brown today welcomed the ‘substantial’ rescue package and said that without it the college would have been at risk of closure.
The announcement follows a bid for up to £21.9 million of restructuring funds, although it is not clear how much has actually been allocated.
Most of the money will go towards paying off historic debts, which will free up the college to invest in new courses, skills training to meet the needs of local employers and student support.
Ms Brown said: “It means we can now operate on a level playing field with other colleges in the area. We can concentrate more resources on teaching and learning.”
Plans include developing more advanced engineering courses, growing its A-level programme and supporting a digital academy covering fields such as virtual reality.
The college is also working with Stoke-on-Trent City Council on training up staff for a new district heating network. This will see them tapping into the power of geothermal energy to heat buildings across parts of the city.
Full Article
Continue Reading
#News#Government#DistrictHeating#Geothermal#UnitedKingdom#NorthandCentralEurope