An MP has praised major redevelopments at Evesham College after attending a consultation event showcasing the plans.
Nigel Huddleston, MP for Mid Worcestershire, visited the week-long consultation alongside residents, councillors and employers to find out more about the Evesham New College plans.
Evesham College, which is part of college group WCG, held four events over the course of a week to help people to better understand its plans to create a college focused on developing technical skills and meeting local and regional economic needs.
The event displayed boards that detailed the plans for the college site, which include retaining the three key buildings that house all the workshops, studios and salons required for technical programmes. Senior staff were on hand to answer any questions.
Planned changes to pedestrian access and car parking were addressed, with the £1.2 million investment by WCG in colleges in the south of Worcestershire also highlighted. The college is part way through its major redevelopment already, which will create a more compact, focused site, and see remaining buildings renovated and revitalised.
Representatives from Wychavon District Council, Evesham Town Council and Worcestershire County Council spoke with the senior leadership team about the plans and the provision the new college will be providing for the district.
Residents from the immediate area around the college were given a guided tour of the information board before being given the chance to raise concerns and have questions answered.
More than 70 prospective students and their parents/guardians attended an open evening where it was highlighted how the changes will benefit the delivery of courses and overall vibrancy of the college environment.
And finally, businesses from across Evesham and Worcestershire headed to the college to see how the changes and development will improve on its apprenticeship delivery and ensure that it is developing skills of importance to the local economy.
The employers were also introduced to the range of incentives available in Worcestershire for taking on apprentices through Evesham College and WCG.
At the close of this academic year, the doors will be shut to the unutilised buildings in the college which are set to be sold off, and students for 2022/23 will study in the three retained newly-renovated buildings of Evesham New College.
Angela Joyce, CEO of WCG, said:
“While it was not an obligation at this stage of the project, we thought it was only right that we invited a wide range of our stakeholders in and provided a platform for any questions to be asked.
“I was delighted that Nigel Huddleston MP took the time to visit the college and gain a full insight into our plans. We are pleased to work constructively with all our stakeholders in ensuring Evesham has a strong technical college, and Nigel has taken a keen interest in our future plans.
“The feedback was very positive in the majority and we have already looked to address any of the smaller concerns that were raised. We are committed to working with and listening to the Evesham community to create a new college which best serves the needs of the local economy.
“Since bringing Evesham College into the group six years ago we are proud of the work we have done to improve the college. We are confident these new changes will improve student experience, focus our course offer, improve site efficiency, enable reinvestment and further strengthen the working relationship with our sister college at Pershore.
“As a college group, we are focused on long-term investment at Evesham College and will be working with local councils, employers and schools to ensure we are delivering training in key skills to the highest standard.
“We will be keeping all residents and stakeholders informed on the plans as they progress and look forward to opening the doors to Evesham New College in September 2022.”
Nigel Huddleston MP said:
“It was good to meet with Angela Joyce at Evesham College to discuss WCG’s proposals for changes to the campus.
“The college’s offering will always need to evolve and I am confident that the planned investment will continue to provide a high-quality learning environment for local young people and adults, and deliver skills that the local community needs.”
To find out more about Evesham New College and the development plans visit wcg.ac.uk/evesham.