University to open new centre in Telford

The University of Wolverhampton is to open a new centre at Telford’s new multi-million pound Southwater complex.

An agreement has been made with Telford and Wrekin Council for the University to be based on the top floor of Southwater One.

Known as University Centre Telford, it will provide a range of courses, include an advice and information centre for prospective students and a business support function.

The University is also in discussion with Telford College of Arts and Technology about being a partner in the venture.

The centre further reinforces the University’s presence in the town adding to the Telford Innovation Campus at Priorslee, which has just benefited from £2M investment in facilities including upgraded engineering labs.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “We’re delighted to be expanding our offering in Telford having been in the town for 20 years this year.

“Over the last six months or so we’ve been looking at expanding the work we do and services we provide across the region as part of our community approach to enhancing skills, raising employability levels and generating economic growth.

“This has seen us initially open a centre in Stafford and now we are extending a similar approach into Telford. This will complement our campus at Priorslee by offering a central location at the heart of the new Southwater development for the public and students.

“Next year we expect to be able to start offering a range of courses based around foundation courses, work place learning, continuous professional development and education and commercial training.

 “As part of this we have worked closely with Telford and Wrekin Council and are excited to be part of Southwater. We are also talking to Telford College with a view to working even more closely with them in the future on this project.

“As a University we want to provide opportunities to an ever widening audience as well as acting as an anchor and driver of economic growth.”

Councillor Richard Overton, Telford & Wrekin Council’s deputy leader, said: “We are delighted to welcome the University to Southwater and this is the final piece of the jigsaw of Phase One of the development.

“University Centre Telford is a perfect fit for the Southwater development and ties in with the council’s commitment to raise skills and aspirations with the ultimate aim of creating more and better jobs for local people and consequently improving the economy.”

The University will join a new library and the council’s main community centre in the building and hope to have the centre open by March next year.

Southwater is a £250m development made up of a cultural, leisure, retail, events, homes and office facilities creating a new heart for Telford Town Centre.

ENDS

For more information please contact James Allen in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003

Date Issued: Thursday 4 December 2014