Cheshire is set to benefit from over £13 million of investment after Cheshire College was named as the lead organisation in a £120 million Institute of Technology (IoT) competition.

As part of a joint venture with Warrington and Vale Royal College, Macclesfield College, Reaseheath College, the University of Chester and Priestley college and employers, the IoT is to ensure world class training and education opportunities for those in the region.

This will be provided by top organisations such as Encirc, Warrington and Halton NHS Trust, Alderly Park Ltd and Case IH, keeping the region at the forefront of industry developments.

Dr Kieran Mullan, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, said: "This is great news not just for young people in our area, but anyone who wants to get new skills, create new opportunities for themselves and get on in life."

Dr Mullan added: "We know we have vacancies and skills shortages and that means opportunities for people and this investment will mean our local residents are well placed to take advantage of them.

"This will build on the already excellent work the college is doing to support T Levels and the Lifetime Skills Guarantee which all together are pushing forward further education as a key way to level up our country.”

Dhesi, Principal and CEO at Cheshire College, said: “This is just one initiative that will enable the local economy to recover from the impact of the pandemic and get back on track to achieve ambitious development within the Cheshire and Warrington region. I am delighted that Cheshire College is able to play a vital role in creating vibrant opportunities for the community.”

Cheshire College is the largest provider of education for over 16s in the region with 11,000 learners and 1,000 apprentices. New facilities and resources will be made available to the College, including almost £6 million for their Crewe Campus.

Clare Hayward MBE, Chair of Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership said: "This is a great endorsement for Cheshire and Warrington and something that we can really build on."

If you would like information about studying at Cheshire College – South & West, visit ccsw.ac.uk.