The Learning and Skills Council has given the green light for Hartlepool College of Further Education to begin their multi-million pound new development. 

The College is one of only 12 colleges nationwide from an original list of over 180 that has been chosen to proceed with their development.  The impact on the town, its economy and the environment is likely to be immense. Hartlepool College emerged from the LSC negotiations with the quality of the proposed building intact and benefits secured for future learners and the local community.  This will allow construction to proceed rapidly with the target of 2011 still achievable.

Principal and Chief Executive David Waddington said: “Over the last four years the staff of the College and key partners, have worked extremely hard to ensure that Hartlepool has the ‘World Class’ education and training facilities needed to secure economic prosperity into the 21^st century. The LSC announcement is fantastic news for the College, for the Town, employers and the community as whole and I would like to thank in particular Iain Wright and representatives of Hartlepool Borough Council, Teesside University, ONE North East and the Tees Valley Joint Strategy Unit, who have all given us tremendous support. We can now look forward to a development that I believe will have an enormous positive impact upon the town centre and the long term development of Hartlepool.” 

The Learning and Skills Council’s aim was to deliver best value for money for the taxpayer and to fund the maximum possible number of projects.  LSC Chief Executive Geoff Russell said, “This has been a tough and challenging process, but the Building Colleges for the Future programme is moving forward and this announcement is proof of that.”

Professor Aidan Mullan, Chair of Governors at Hartlepool College of Further Education went on to comment that, “The College is delighted to have been given the go ahead for the new build.  The new state of the art development will be ready for students beginning their study in 2011 and will be an iconic building for the community of Hartlepool and surrounding areas.  A huge thank you must be extended to the many stakeholders who have supported the College and we look forward to the future and continued success.”