University lectures start at Telford's Southwater complex

The first group of higher education students arrived yesterday at their new home on the top floor of Southwater One - home of the town's library.

The University Centre Telford has been hailed as an opportunity to create better jobs and boost the town's economy.

Stefen Vanstone is one of the first students to be taught at the new site, which is part of the University of Wolverhampton.

The 19-year-old, from Shifnal, is studying hospitality and events management at Telford College of Arts and Technology (TCAT).

"It's a lot more accessible for us being based near to the town centre, as we do a lot of work with the Telford International Centre so it's great having it right on our doorstep," he said.

"It's also great being based here as we get the chance to meet new people, and the college is very much adapted for 16 to 18-year-olds so here we feel like mature students.

"I love the course I am doing and I hope to go on to university so I can get my degree and then I hope to go into airport management."

Another student who is also studying the same course is Stefen Archer, who is 18 and from Wrockwardine Wood.

"We feel more grown up by being here and it's great having the library in the same building," he said.

"This will create new opportunities for us and it feels a lot more social now that we are in the town centre.

"The facilities at the centre are brilliant and, like Stefen said, we feel more grown up by being here."

Gemma Harrison, who is a lecturer for the course said the Southwater site gave the students "a bit of a feel for the working environment".

"Because we are among shops and restaurants it gives the students a chance to look at case studies closely and it makes their learning more hands-on," she said.

"It is also great because we have brand new technology here, which we didn't have at TCAT.

"I am based here two days a week and I know some of the other tutors at TCAT are quite jealous that this will be my new home for part of the week."

The University of Wolverhampton moved into the site after agreeing a deal with Telford & Wrekin Council last year.

Chris Scott, principal at TCAT, said: "We are thrilled that at last we have a university centre here in Telford.

"This will provide a lot of opportunities to people in Telford to get higher education and with it being based in the town centre it is far more accessible.

"We hope this centre will allow more people to continue education.

"It can be hard for people to travel to and from Wolverhampton or Birmingham, and we are finding that most people who will be studying here are from Telford.

"This is great and we will be working closely with the University of Wolverhampton to make sure the training provided to those who want it."

From yesterday TCAT will be teaching their HND event management, foundation degree art and HNC in business at the new centre.

Further courses will start running there from September when the new academic year starts. It will include part of a foundation degree in health and social care, and some introductory tasters to higher education.

These courses are delivered by Telford College and include a variety of HNC, HND, foundation degrees and professional qualifications.

Last week it was announced that more than £12 million will be spent on new facilities in to train the next generation of skilled engineers.

The major investment will turn the University of Wolverhampton's Telford Innovation Campus in Priorslee into a centre of excellence.

Mary Mahoney, head of life long learning, said: "We are absolutely ecstatic about being at the centre and working closely with TCAT and Telford & Wrekin Council.

"It is great to have a centre at the heart of Telford that will allow more and more people to access higher education.

"We will also be providing more engineering courses in Telford at our Campus in Priorslee and we will be rolling out more courses at the centre provided by the University from September.

"We will also be holding an open day on May 16 and that will be the official launch of the Centre.

"People can find out more about what University Centre Telford can offer them at the event from 10am to 4pm.

"There will be information about the courses, sample sessions and routes into higher education, as well as details of the University's business solutions service."