Strategic Plan 2020-2023
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Forging Ahead A Strategic Plan for Dudley College of Technology 2020-23 2 For more information log on to www.dudleycol.ac.uk 3 Contents Section 1 Section 7 Foreword 5 Our enabling support services 51 Key achievements 6 7a. Careers, learner services, 52 marketing and public affairs Section 2 7b. Information technology & 53 150 years + of professional and 9 management information services technical education in Dudley Section 8 Section 3 Our human resource strategy 55 Our context 13 3a. A synoptic review of 2016-19 13 Section 9 3b. The fourth industrial revolution, the Industrial 14 Our financial strategy 59 Strategy and the skills needs of our region - the role of colleges in a post Augar, Section 10 post Brexit world Our estates strategy 65 3c. Collaboration, devolution and the 15 West Midlands Combined Authority 3d. Being ‘for’ a place - forging Dudley’s future 15 Section 11 Managing our risks 69 Section 4 Our mission and vision 17 Section 12 Our impact 73 Section 5 Learners at the heart of everything we do 21 5a. Our approach to teaching and learning 21 5b. Supporting our learners and keeping them safe 24 Section 6 Making a strategic impact – 26 our priority sectors 6a. Academic studies 28 6b. Adult programmes for learners returning 30 to studies or preparing for employment 6c. Building technologies and services 32 6d. Digital and creative industries 35 6e. Engineering and advanced manufacturing 38 6f. Health and life science technologies 40 6g. Inclusion programmes 44 6h. Professional services and service Industries 46 6i. Worldwide provision - 48 Dudley College Worldwide For more information log on to www.dudleycol.ac.uk 4 Section 1 Foreword Key achievements For more information log on to www.dudleycol.ac.uk 1 5 Foreword Dudley College of Technology has played a pivotal role in the provision of vocational and technical education in Dudley Borough and the wider Black Country for over 150 years. The college has been on a remarkable and Marches Institute of Technology, due journey over the last twelve years. In 2007 to open in 2021, and the opportunity to the college was graded inadequate by pilot all three new T Levels in 2020. These Ofsted, with failing financial health, facilities projects place the college at the vanguard and resources unfit for purpose and an of welcome changes in technical and higher uncertain strategic future. Today the college technical education. is graded as an ‘outstanding’ provider and is widely recognised as one of the highest The college recognises its role in providing performing general further education system leadership for the further education colleges in the country. sector. Particularly through the Further Education Skills and Productivity Group, a The journey from inadequate to collaboration of twenty-one colleges in the Lowell Williams outstanding has been planned carefully. West Midlands working closely with the We place a great emphasis on considered West Midlands Combined Authority, the Chief Executive Officer strategic planning and turning strategy into college’s strategy is to promote current action. Delivering our strategic ambitions and future collaboration between further over recent years has not been easy, nor education colleges. The college welcomed without risk. This plan again sets out our comments in the Augar Report in this ambitions for the future. We recognise that respect and approaches these discussions the road ahead is a challenging one. in an open and confident manner. The recent three-way college collaboration Over the life of our previous strategic between Dudley, Halesowen and plan, we delivered an investment in our Birmingham Metropolitan colleges, estate of some £60m, predominantly is evidence that collaboration can result from the college’s own funds and through in rationalised and secure provision in an prudential borrowing. This has provided area, providing a positive future for learners us with excellent technical facilities but and staff alike. David Whatton has required careful management of Chair of Corporation our finances. This plan sets out further But more than anything else the college ambitious estate development whilst remains resolutely focused on providing recognising the need to maximise returns all learners with an exceptional experience from prior investments, to rebuild cash which provides for their successful reserves and securely maintain good future careers. financial health into the future. This strategic plan, for the period 2020- The college’s exceptional performance 2023, sets out the actions we will take to in technical areas has resulted in exciting realise our ambitious vision for the future opportunities for the future, perhaps most of Dudley College of Technology. clearly demonstrated by our successful application to develop the Black Country For more information log on to www.dudleycol.ac.uk 6 Key achievements from the period of the last strategic plan £60 million £ Recognised by Ofsted Investment in Maintained satisfactory financial as an "Outstanding Provider" Dudley Learning Quarter and health and liquidity during a period of in March 2017. Brierley Hill Centres. significant capital investment. 46,000 Over the last four years As one of the country's largest 46,000 learners have Apprenticeship providers we successfully achieved 95% of full-time supported over 7,000 apprentices. their qualifications. learners' progress to positive destinations. Selected by DfE following a national competition, to lead the development of a prestigious new Achievement rates consistently Institute of Technology. Dudley College Worldwide delivers above national average. to 1,200 learners worldwide. High levels of satisfaction throughout the life of this strategic plan: FE Choices Employer Survey – rating of 9.6 for ‘likelihood to recommend’ FE Choices Learner Survey - rating of 8.1 (16-18), 8.6 (Adult) and 8.5 (Apprenticeships) for ‘satisfaction with teaching/training’. For more information log on to www.dudleycol.ac.uk 7 National Entrepreneur of the Year winner 2017 & 2018 and Achieve prestigious Inspirational Learner and Dudley Academies Trust is formed STEM Assured kite mark. Enterprise Manager award under the sponsorship of the college. winner in 2018. Accredited by the Office for Students Lowell Williams Chief Executive College becomes as a provider of higher education – Officer is recognised Chartered Institute of Further met all 24 standards for our provision. as FE Leader of the Year at Education member. TES Awards 2018. Received British Council The college wins managing Re-Accreditation for agent status for Waltham Forest Dudley College of Technology English Teaching. Borough Council's Construction becomes T Level provider. Training Centre. For more information log on to www.dudleycol.ac.uk 8 Section 2 150 years+ of professional and technical education in Dudley For more information log on to www.dudleycol.ac.uk 2 9 150 years+ of professional and technical education in Dudley 1927 Five acre site at The Broadway offered by Dudley Town Council. 1936 1862 Official opening of The Broadway site. Dudley College of Technology traces its origins to the building of the Dudley Public Hall and Mechanics Institute in 1862. 1939 Outbreak of World War Two – decision to postpone completion of further 1896 building work. Additional accommodation in Stafford Street was acquired and became the Dudley Technical School (renamed the Dudley Technical College in 1928). 1931 Building works begin following acceptance of a tender of £74,177. 1935 First learners admitted in September. 1955 1918 Completion of building work to include electrical engineering, metallurgy, meteorology. Agreement reached between Dudley and Staffordshire Education Committees to erect a college to provide Technical Education facilities. 2 For more information log on to www.dudleycol.ac.uk 10 1966 2013 Termination of joint administration with Completion of Aspire Living – Centre for Staffordshire Council – college became sole Independent Living. responsibility of Dudley Council and renamed Dudley Technical College. 1998 Opening of Centre for Learning at Rover, Longbridge. 2014 1968 Completion of Aspire Works – Centre for Completion of The Broadway F block to Independent Work Skills officially opened by accommodate Motor Vehicle, Electrical and 2001 Ian Austin, Member of Parliament for Dudley th Hydraulic laboratories. North 13 March 2015. Merger with Rowley Regis College. Completion of Dudley Advance - Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering officially opened by Professor Brian Cox on 24th April 2015 and Dudley Enhance, 1973 (extension to Dudley Sixth incorporating 2002 the STIR Bistro). Glass Centre opened at Brierley Hill by Acquisition of Castle View campus from HRH Duchess of Kent. University of Wolverhampton. 1982 2011 Construction of Wolverhampton Opening of Energy Training Hub in Tipton. Street site. 1990 Mons Hill campus opened. 1993 Official opening of G & H block at The Broadway by HRH Duke of Kent. 2012 Completion of Dudley Evolve and Dudley Sixth, to form phase 1 and 2 of the Dudley Learning Quarter, officially opened by the Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on 21st November 2012. Closure and disposal of Castle View site and relocation of Glass Centre to Dudley Evolve. For more information log on to www.dudleycol.ac.uk 11 2017 Dudley Advance II a Centre for Advanced Building Technologies opens its doors. 2019 August Art & Design Centre (Brierley Hill) Independent Living Centre (Brierley Hill) Black Country Skills