Kidderminster College aims to grow through merger
KIDDERMINSTER College has announced plans to merge with one or more partners in a bid to take its development to the next stage.
Following an extensive review of the options, governors have concluded that a merger will bring the most benefits to the college’s learners and staff as well as the local community and employers.
A similar merger between Stourbridge College and Birmingham Metropolitan College was agreed at the end of April.
Kidderminster College principal, Andy Dobson said: “This is a strong and successful college, but a small one, and our ambitions for the future require the resources of a larger organisation.
“We want the best possible opportunities for our learners, the local community and employers and our staff, and we believe this is the best way to achieve that. The importance of further education in delivering skills to drive economic growth is being increasingly recognised and we need to ensure that we are well placed to do so.”
Dobson stresses the college has very strong finances, above the national average success rates and a good record of investing in facilities for the local community.
“Now we will be looking for one or more partners who can assist us in reaching the next level and create a college that can make an increasingly significant contribution to the local and regional economy, and further enhance the range of opportunity available in Kidderminster and the Wyre Forest,” he said.
Organisations interested in a possible merger are being invited to contact the college in response to a formal document that will be published in September setting out the type of collaborations it is seeking.
