A £3.5million Centre for Medical and Healthcare Science has been opened by The City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College.
The extension to its Leek Road-based campus is a multi-story facility with state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, research facilities, and simulation rooms.
The innovative design of the facility includes connected rooms with dividing walls with the aim of providing a seamless and flexible education experience for students.
The extension will be able to accommodate an additional 432 learners, providing the local area with more students who possess the key skills necessary to make significant contributions to the region and chosen career paths.
The Department of Education’s post-19 capacity fund has covered 85 per cent of the funding for the £3.5m project.
Principal Mark Kent said: “We are thrilled to offer this cutting-edge facility to our students, as we believe it will give them the best possible chance to succeed in their chosen career paths.
“Our aim is to produce a new generation of highly skilled professionals who will go on to make significant contributions.”
Deputy Principal Matthew Marshall added: “The learning spaces that our new Centre offers are larger than standard to provide a classroom environment connected with a simulated work environment.
“I am excited that we can offer students the chance to gain real-life skills and hands-on experience.”
An opening ceremony was held to mark its launch, with Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Jo Gideon officially cutting the ribbon to the new extension. Other key representatives from local businesses and education providers were in attendance.
