NSCG to become Technical Excellence College for Advanced Manufacturing

It is clear for all to see that our young people have the talent and determination needed to build the industries that will power our future right here in Newcastle-under-Lyme – what has been missing is a government that matched that ambition.

With the announcement that Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) has been named a national Technical Excellence College (TEC), that backing is finally here.

Being selected as one of just four hubs specialising in advanced manufacturing is a major win for our area. It is a massive vote of confidence in our community, supported by a share of a £175 million fund invested across government. This status means the team at Newcastle College has been recognised for leading the field, ensuring our students are at the front of the queue for the high-tech jobs of the future.

I know NSCG has the ability to translate this support into reality. Recently, I joined Craig Hodgson, Principal of NSCG, and the team at the launch of the Drayton Beaumont Academy, and I was struck by the ambition and opportunities they're offering to their students.

For too long, the story for many was that you had to "get out to get on." This investment changes that. We are refocusing the skills system toward domestic talent and the industries that will define the next century – from robotics to sustainable manufacturing. We are ensuring technical routes are valued just as highly as university, supporting homegrown talent to develop the skills employers actually need.

This status allows NSCG – an already "Outstanding" college – to expand its offer even further. As a national leader, it will now act as a regional hub, sharing expert teaching and state-of-the-art resources across Staffordshire. When applications opened for these new colleges, I backed the bid every step of the way because I want the jobs of the future to be here in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

By giving local young people the chance to lead these industries, we are driving growth and restoring pride in our area. Our new Technical Excellence College is living proof that we are stepping in to back our community and build a workforce that is truly world-class.