Macclesfield College sets out future plans

Local MP, David Rutley, met members of Macclesfield College’s Senior Leadership team, including Ms Rachel Kay, Principal & CEO and Ms Lucy Reed Deputy Principal, who set out the variety of courses now on offer. 

David was told that the College is continuing to expand its apprenticeship provision and seen a record number of apprentices enrolling at the College over the summer. Major growth has been seen in Construction, Childcare and AAT apprenticeships and employer engagement and partnership working has proved very effective. This has been highlighted in the Health & Social Care course, where the College is working closely with Macclesfield Hospital developing a Health & Social Care Skills Bootcamp, aimed at supporting staff development at the hospital.

David visited the Automotive department learning of the planned skills development for the future in the automotive sector. The College is taking a pro-active approach – working with awarding bodies and employers in preparing to deliver electric vehicle courses up to Level 4. To enable the College to move forward with these developments, they have applied for the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Fund, to provide the vehicles and technology needed. 

Ms Kay explained that Macclesfield College is set to benefit from significant investment after a collaborative bid with Cheshire College South and West, Warrington and Vale Royal College, Reaseheath College, the University of Chester and Priestley College, successfully secured £13m funding to develop an Institute of Technology in the region. The Institutes will provide high-quality higher technical education and training in a range of courses including, Engineering, Computing, Health and Life Sciences and Construction.

Ms Kay, said, “We were delighted to welcome David Rutley MP at Macclesfield College and take the opportunity to showcase our new curriculum and campus expansions. David showed a great deal of interest in how we support local businesses with skilled employees of the future, by developing and growing our curriculum offering. We operate a demand led and designed curriculum here at Macclesfield College, it was a pleasure to see the students and apprentices talking so passionately about their learning here at the College.”

Speaking after the visit, David said “Ms Kay and her team are taking innovative steps to ensure students have access to the most current technology and teaching techniques so that they are best placed for the world of work. It is great to see how the College’s partnerships with local businesses are leading to career opportunities for young people in our area and meeting the needs of local employers. The team has my full support in taking forward their plans for the future.”