During a busy day of visits in Staffordshire, His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent visited the brand-new Engineering Academy in Cannock on Thursday 24th October. The Engineering Academy, based at the Cannock Chase Skills and Innovation Hub, part of South Staffordshire College, will provide courses, training opportunities, short courses and apprenticeships for all levels and abilities to boost skills and secure jobs in and around the Cannock region and beyond.On arrival at the Cannock Chase Skills and Innovation Hub, His Royal Highness was greeted by Claire Boliver, Chief Executive Principal of South Staffordshire College and a line-up of VIP’s invited by the college which included Tony McGovern, Managing Director of Cannock Chase Council, David Frost CBE, Chairman of Stoke and Staffordshire LEP, leader of Staffordshire Council Philip Atkins, and leader of Cannock Chase Council George Adamson.The Duke of Kent was invited for a tour of the new state of the art engineering facilities, before officially opening the Engineering Academy and unveiling a plaque to commemorate the day in front of invitees which included councillors, staff, businesses, the Stoke and Staffordshire LEP, Cannock Chase District Council, Staffordshire Council and South Staffordshire College students.
Claire Boliver, Chief Executive and Principal of South Staffordshire College said, “We are delighted to have The Duke of Kent officially open our Engineering Academy, particularly due to His Royal Highness’ interests in innovation, business and engineering we are thrilled he is able to officially open the Academy.
Current engineering students, Jack Evans, Elliott Whitehouse, Benjamin Preece, Samuel Johnson, Lewis Reeve, Ryan Nutting, Matt Jones, Jack Capper, Jack Fawdrey, Tom Rose, Lewis Leese, Dan Hudson, Joseph Gaile & Joseph Johnson, then presented His Royal Highness with a gift to remember his time at the academy. The piece of work was produced from start to finish using the brand-new machines showing the craftsmanship that can be produced.
The Duke of Kent is involved with over 140 different charities, organisations and professional bodies which cover a wide range of issues including fostering the development of British technology and industry. The Engineering Academy is equipped with the very latest engineering machinery and resources, all of which are capable of working to the very best of industry standards and beyond.
The Engineering Academy was created following a successful bid for £500,000 to the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP (SSLEP) and matched funded by Cannock Chase District Council which saw a £1,000,000 investment into the development of the Engineering Academy. A further £500,000 in college funds was used to prepare for the machinery and equipment installation, all of which will boost skills and secure jobs in and around the Cannock region and beyond.
Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership acting chairman Alun Rogers said: “We’re pleased to have supported the creation of South Staffordshire College’s Engineering Academy through the LEP’s Skills Equipment Fund. This is bringing the latest industry technology to people to give them the best start in a successful engineering career. Improving skills is a vital part of our long-term growth plans and the development of our local industrial strategy. We look forward to seeing the students getting the experience they need through these fantastic new facilities.”
Tony McGovern, Managing Director at Cannock Chase Council said “The Council is delighted that The Duke of Kent has opened the state-of-the-art Engineering Academy at the Cannock Campus. It is a facility that will develop new generations of engineers and improve skills and opportunities in the District.”
Minister for Local Growth, the Rt Hon Jake Berry MP, said: “We are committed to boosting economic growth across the Midlands Engine and levelling up regions throughout the UK as we prepare to leave the EU on 31 October. “Thanks to £500,000 of Government support from the Local Growth Fund, students and apprentices at South Staffordshire College’s newly opened Engineering Academy are able to benefit from specialist equipment that will help them develop much needed engineering skills so they can compete and flourish in the global job market.”
