Dudley Council has formally approved a £4,732,031 investment to refurbish Halesowen College's Trinity Point campus, creating floorspace for 380 additional students as part of a drive to tackle the borough's high number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).
The decision, signed off by Dudley's group director for communities and growth, Nick McGurk, follows cabinet approval in February and represents the maximum amount of government funding available for the project. The money was advanced to the council by central government under the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's investment framework.
NEET rates in Dudley
Government figures 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' at the end of 2024. That figure was significantly worse than the national average and prompted the council to take action.
The council introduced a new tracking system to establish what the 'not known' youngsters were actually doing. According to the authority, the updated statistics are now closer to national performance and more stable than the Department for Education's original data indicated.
What the refurbishment includes
Trinity Point is Halesowen College's specialist centre for digital technology and media. It already houses high-tech facilities including esports labs, a TV studio and control room, and podcast studios. The investment will bring currently vacant floorspace back into use and expand the college's capacity in core curriculum areas.
Notes on the director's decision said: "The project is intended to increase educational attainment within the local area through the provision of additional student places in core curriculum areas."
The notes added: "The project will also address the skills shortages in core subject areas. This has been highlighted by local employers as a barrier to growth, which has had a direct impact on business productivity."
Expected social and economic impact
Under the government's appraisal guidance, the investment is expected to deliver social value worth £7.2 million. That means for every £1 invested, around £2.30 is expected to return to the economy. The calculation takes into account improved educational attainment, reduced benefit dependency, and the wider economic benefits of a better-skilled workforce.
The council also expects the investment to generate additional benefits beyond education. The decision notes state: "The building is located within Halesowen town centre, the increased footfall from students using the facility will improve visitor spend thereby supporting the local economy."
Addressing skills shortages
Local employers have repeatedly flagged skills shortages as a barrier to growth, particularly in digital and technical fields. By expanding Trinity Point's capacity, the council aims to align the college's curriculum with the needs of the local job market, giving young people the qualifications and skills that businesses are actively seeking.
The project is also expected to help reduce the number of young people classed as NEET by providing more places in further education and training. With 21.5 percent of 16 to 17-year-olds previously falling into this category, the additional 380 student places represent a significant step toward improving outcomes for Dudley's youth.
Next steps
Work on the refurbishment is expected to begin in the coming months, with the new floorspace scheduled to open for students in the next academic year. The council has not yet announced a specific completion date, but the investment is seen as a key part of its broader strategy to improve education, employment, and economic growth across the borough.
Dudley Council leader Patrick Harley said the investment demonstrated the authority's commitment to giving young people the best possible start. "This is a substantial investment in our future workforce," he said. "By providing modern, high-quality facilities at Trinity Point, we are directly tackling the NEET issue and supporting local businesses that need skilled employees."
The move has been welcomed by education leaders, who see the refurbishment as a vital upgrade to the college's existing digital and media offer. As well as increasing student numbers, the project will enhance the learning environment for current students and reinforce Halesowen College's reputation as a centre of excellence in technology and media training.
