Dudley Council has approved a £4.7 million investment to refurbish a college building in a bid to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) across the borough. The funding, which was confirmed by the council's group director for communities and growth, Nick McGurk, will upgrade Halesowen College's Trinity Point campus, creating space for an additional 380 students.
Addressing the NEET challenge
Government figures from the end of 2024 placed Dudley in the highest category for NEETs, with 21.5 percent of 16 and 17-year-olds either NEET or with their activity status 'not known'. In response, the council introduced a new tracking system to better understand what these young people were doing. The authority now says the statistics are closer to national performance and more stable than the Department for Education's data indicated.
The decision to invest was made after the council's cabinet approved the plans in February. The total spend of £4,732,031 is the maximum amount available under the government's investment scheme, with the cash advanced to the council by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Boosting skills and local economy
Notes on the director's decision highlight that the project is intended to increase educational attainment in the local area by providing additional student places in core curriculum areas. The notes state: "The project is intended to increase educational attainment within the local area through the provision of additional student places in core curriculum areas."
The investment also aims to address skills shortages that local employers have identified as a barrier to growth. "This has been highlighted by local employers as a barrier to growth, which has had a direct impact on business productivity," the notes add.
Trinity Point is Halesowen College's centre for digital technology and media, offering high-tech facilities including esports labs, a TV studio, a control room, and podcast studios. The refurbishment will bring currently vacant floorspace back into use, with the council expecting wider benefits for the town centre.
Expected social value and economic impact
Under the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government appraisal guidance, the investment is expected to deliver social value worth £7.2 million. This means for every £1 invested, around £2.30 is expected to return to the economy. The decision notes also point out that the building is located within Halesowen town centre, and the increased footfall from students using the facility will improve visitor spend, thereby supporting the local economy.
The council's move is part of a broader effort to tackle the NEET problem in the borough. With the new tracking system in place, the council believes it now has a more accurate picture of young people's activities, allowing for more targeted interventions. The investment in Trinity Point is seen as a key step in providing the skills and education needed to help young people move into employment or training.
