Published: Friday, 6th June 2025
A new Innovation and Skills Hub has opened at South Staffordshire College’s Cannock Campus, made possible through a £250,000 investment from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
The primary goal of the UKSPF is to build pride in place and increase life chances. The fund aims to improve the place people live in, and support individuals and business.
Located within a newly refurbished facility at the Cannock campus, the Innovation and Skills Hub is a modern, fully equipped training space designed to support residents in gaining the skills needed to access employment. The Hub will offer a range of programmes, including Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), which enable local people to develop sector-specific skills with the support of the College and local employers.
Participants will benefit from work experience placements, tailored employability support, and guaranteed job interviews, helping to remove key barriers to employment. A dedicated interview preparation room is also available to help individuals build confidence and improve their chances of success. In addition to supporting residents, the Hub will serve as a valuable resource for local businesses. Digital collaboration suites are available for hire at affordable rates, offering space for meetings, training, and professional development activities. Bespoke training services tailored to business needs can also be delivered through the Hub.
Councillor Tony Johnson, Leader of Cannock Chase Council, said: “This exciting initiative has been made possible through the Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund investment. This state-of-the-art centre at South Staffordshire College’s Cannock Campus has transformed a disused building into a vital resource for business training and employment support. This is more than a building — it’s an investment in our community’s future, and we’re proud to support the College as it goes from strength to strength.”
Claire Boliver, Chief Executive Principal of South Staffordshire College, added: “The development of the Innovation and Skills Hub has been made possible through the generous support of the Council through its UKSPF funding. We have been able to renovate an unused building and transform it into a modern training facility for the community. We hope it will become a central point for engagement and collaboration among residents and employers.”
The Council is proud to partner with South Staffordshire College on this initiative, which aligns with local priorities to enhance skills, improve access to employment, and strengthen community resilience.
For further information about the Innovation and Skills Hub and how it can support individuals or businesses, please contact Nick Brown, Adult Skills Lead at South Staffordshire College, by emailing nick.brown@southstaffs.ac.uk.