South Staffordshire College proudly marked the official opening of its brand-new Tamworth College on Friday 21st November, welcoming local leaders, partners, and community representatives to a special event in the heart of Tamworth town centre.
The opening ceremony featured a warm welcome to guests from Claire Boliver, Chief Executive and Principal, followed by an address from the Rt. Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith, who officially opened the new college by unveiling a commemorative plaque to mark this significant milestone.
Guests were then invited to tour the state-of-the-art facilities and experience interactive demonstrations from students and take part in have a go activities across the curriculum. Following the tours, guests enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by our Catering students.
The new Tamworth College forms a key part of the town’s regeneration, aligning with the £40 million Future High Streets Fund programme to create a vibrant, modern destination for education and skills development.
Councillor Carol Dean, Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “Congratulations to South Staffordshire College on the official opening of the new Tamworth College in the heart of our town centre. Having the college in the town was always a cornerstone of the £40 million Future High Streets Fund regeneration programme, and seeing it come to life alongside our projects is fantastic. Together, we’re transforming Tamworth into a thriving destination that gives people real reasons to visit – whether that’s to study, work, shop or be entertained. The whole programme of regeneration has been about creating a vibrant town centre that works for how people live today while celebrating our rich history. We thank South Staffordshire College for their partnership in working to make this shared vision a reality.”
The new Tamworth College offers cutting-edge learning environments designed to meet the needs of today’s learners and employers, supporting skills development in key sectors such as construction, service industries, and digital. Facilities include specialist workshops for carpentry and bricklaying, fully equipped hair and beauty salons, a hospitality training kitchen, and a digital innovation hub featuring VR technology. Students also benefit from flexible learning spaces, dedicated wellbeing and careers support, and strong links with employers for apprenticeships and work placements. It represents a major investment in education for Tamworth and the wider region, ensuring opportunities for lifelong learning and career progression.
Claire Boliver, Chief Executive and Principal of South Staffordshire College, said “This is an incredibly proud moment for our college and the community. Tamworth College is more than a building; it’s a hub for skills, innovation, and opportunity. We are committed to working with local partners to ensure that learners of all ages can access high-quality education right here in the town centre.”
To learn more about the courses on offer at Tamworth College please visit southstaffs.ac.uk.
