The College is seeking to ensure that the automotive training facilities are upgraded to meet the transition of the industry to supply and manufacture hybrid and electric vehicles.

Adding green sustainable skills to its curriculum portfolio is also high on the College’s agenda. Vice Principal for Business Growth, Skills and Partnerships, Nancy Buckley, comments: “A key strategic ambition of the College is to deliver a high-quality curriculum that enhances the life opportunities of our learners, the inclusive growth of our communities, and the productivity of the employers with which we work.

“The College is also committed to making a significant contribution to the local and regional economy by enhancing the technical skills, knowledge and industry professional standards of individuals. This investment will support these objectives and compliment well with other similar projects the College is embarking on at Stratford, such as a heat-source pump workshop.”

The award of funding will also help Stratford-upon-Avon District Council meet its objectives - including funding gaps in local skills provision, supporting the unemployed to progress into work, and supporting those who need upskilling or retraining.

Cllr George Cowcher, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: “This is an extremely important opportunity for the District to invest in people and development. Even more so because the course delivery will continue beyond the final year of the current SPF programme (March 2025) for a further two years until March 2027.”

Local school leavers, apprentices, employers and part time adult learners will benefit from these new facilities from mid-2025.