Dudley College of Technology has announced its membership of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s Platinum Group, marking a strategic move to deepen its engagement with employers and business representative organisations across the West Midlands.

The Platinum Group brings together senior leaders from a broad range of sectors to promote and share best practice in management, leadership, and organisational development. Its aim is to foster a trusted network of business decision‑makers committed to driving excellence and regional economic growth.

The College has been an active contributor to the Chamber for many years. Its decision to formalise and elevate the partnership reflects a growing alignment between the two organisations, particularly around policy influence, business engagement, and skills development.

Diana Martin, CEO and Principal of Dudley College of Technology, said the move was a natural progression of longstanding collaboration.

“There is huge synergy between our organisations. We both shape conversations around regional growth and business policy, and we share a strong commitment to influencing positive change on the ground. Our recent collaboration on LSIF projects shows how productive this joint working can be, so joining the Platinum Group feels like a natural evolution.”

Gail Arnold, Head of Membership at the Chamber said:  

“Dudley College has played an important role in our business community for almost 100 years (1928), and I am thrilled to see them join The Platinum Group.  

“The College brings a wealth of knowledge and a genuine commitment to supporting employers and developing local talent. I look forward to collaborating even more closely with Diana and the rest of the team to support the needs of local businesses and the Black Country economy.” 

By joining the Group, the College aims to build on its existing work with employers, helping to strengthen the local skills ecosystem and address shared economic challenges. The Chamber’s reputation for building strong and trusted business relationships was a key factor in the decision.

The enhanced partnership will focus on supporting the needs of the Black Country economy, promoting leadership excellence, and ensuring the College’s offer is aligned to the workforce priorities of local employers.   

Following the success of our first ever employer awards celebration in October 2025, Dudley College of Technology is developing a new “Growth and Skills Strategy” aimed at aligning its curriculum and services to the feedback employers have already given us and we are now inviting them to give us more by opening an employer consultation.

The consultation on the draft Strategy, which covers all aspects of the College’s employer-related provision, is open until 13th February. Taking on board the feedback, we receive the strategy will be finalised and published on the Dudley College website.

The Black Country faces lower qualification levels, skills gaps at Levels 3–5 and challenges around workforce recruitment and retention. At the same time, the West Midlands region is forecast to create over 100,000 new jobs over the next decade, with strong growth predicted across a range of sectors. To help ensure the area benefits from the resulting opportunities, the new strategy will determine the college’s approach to supporting employers over the coming years, aligning to industrial and technological developments and regional growth plans. At the heart of the strategy is a focus on supporting business growth and productivity while strengthening the local workforce, ensuring local people benefit directly from regional economic growth.

“The College has always had a fantastic relationship with local business,” said Susanne Davies, Director of Partnerships and Employer Engagement at Dudley College, “We want to grow that by giving them the chance to genuinely influence our curriculum. We’re aware that there has been a lot of technological change over recent years, with businesses embracing automation and AI, and we need to ensure we’re providing the training that the Black Country needs.”

To make your views heard, please visit our consultation page here.

Rain didn’t stop play at the weekend, with Dudley College’s Higher Education Graduation Ceremony on Saturday 22nd November being a heartwarming and inspirational celebration. Over 65 students marked the culmination of their academic journeys, receiving well-earned recognition for their hard work and dedication throughout the last academic year.  

Held in the presence of family, friends and supporters, the event demonstrated the profound impact of education. Students from a variety of disciplines, including Business & Management, Teaching & Assessing, Engineering & Construction and Health & Science, were celebrated for earning higher qualifications.  

Student representatives, Garry Hipkins and Paul Hampshire, eloquently captured the spirit of the day, expressing heartfelt gratitude to college staff, families and fellow students for their unwavering support. With a tongue-in-cheek reference musing that they swore they would never study again, both are now considering their return and have asked staff to bear with them for a few more years, as they will be coming back. 

Chief Executive & Principal Diana Martin, addressed the ceremony with an emphasis of ‘pushing yourself out of your comfort zone’. Diana spoke of her own career journey and although she never dreamed, she would be CEO of a college she always loved learning and grabbed every opportunity that presented itself, explaining that the lesson is, ‘find something that ignites you and pursue it without holding yourself back’. She implored students to seek out new education opportunities to help them surpass their own expectations. Students graduating, received scrolls from Chief Executive & Principal Diana Martin and Chair of the College’s Corporation, Professor Paul Noon. 

Congratulations to all of our graduates – you inspire us with your determination and achievements, and we look forward to seeing the incredible things you’ll accomplish in the future.   

Relive the memories and download photos from the event here: Dudley College Higher Education Graduation  

Dudley College of Technology was pleased to welcome Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands to the Construction Apprenticeship Training (CAT) Centre recently, as part of a wider regional push to boost skills and innovation in the construction sector. 

During his tour of the campus, Mayor Parker engaged directly with staff and students, gaining insight into their experiences and the hands-on training that is helping to prepare them for successful careers in the construction industry.  

The visit comes after the Mayor’s recent announcement of a £75 million skills fund to train more than 12,000 learners in jobs such as bricklaying, engineering, design, plastering and painting to help tackle the region’s shortage of construction workers. 

Speaking about the visit, Diana Martin, CEO and Principal of Dudley College of Technology, explained how the Mayor’s announcement complements the college’s recent recognition as a Centre of Technical Excellence for Construction (CTEC): 

“Dudley College of Technology is proud to be supporting the Mayor’s plans for growth. Through our role as the region’s Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC) we will be working to boost both the range and quality of construction training across the West Midlands. One of our key objectives will be to work with employers to leverage further investment in construction skills provision, so that the industry not only builds capacity way into the future but can immediately maximise the business benefits the large-scale investment offers.” 

John McKeon, Head of CTEC at the college, highlighted the importance of collaboration in delivering these ambitions. 

“My role is to make sure there is a collective effort from all training providers to collaborate on key issues, such as driving up the quality of training so that everyone who goes through a programme is fully capable to do the job intended. The plan is to share best practice and develop a supportive culture across the region’s trainers.” 

With increasing demand for construction-related training courses, The CAT Centre is central to the West Midlands Combined Authority’s strategy to build a future-ready workforce. 

The Mayor’s visit and the ongoing investment in Dudley College’s CAT Centre demonstrate a clear commitment to equipping the West Midlands with the skilled workforce needed to deliver on the region’s ambitious growth and infrastructure plans. 

After battling through fierce competition at a recent West Midlands regional heat, three talented Dudley College of Technology learners have secured their places at the WorldSkills UK National Finals, set to take place in Wales later this year.  

Viktoria Fishko (Level 3 Beauty Therapy), Owen Meredith and Sam Tromans (both Level 3 Metal Fabrication & Welding) will represent Dudley College on the national stage after impressing industry experts with their technical brilliance, time management skills, and determination. 

For Viktoria, who wowed the judges with her professionalism while conducting a range of beauty treatments, the competition was more than just a challenge, it was a major confidence boost. Commenting on the competition she said:  

“I felt so proud to be amongst so much talent, but my biggest takeaway from the heat was just how far I’ve come in terms of my confidence. It was a great experience, and I can’t wait to get started at the finals.” 

Meanwhile, Owen and Sam rose to the occasion, demonstrating not only their precision in metal fabricating, but also their ability to problem-solve under time constraints. 

“It felt good to be in a pressured environment,” Owen explained, with Sam adding: “We were out of our comfort zones, but it was also a good opportunity to practice skills we don’t normally use.”

All three students are now busy preparing for the final with the support of both their college  tutors, Andrew Whitehouse (Metal Fabrication & Welding), and Brodie-Anne Bishop (Beauty Therapy), with Owen and Sam receiving support and encouragement from their employer, Freeflow Pipesystems, based in Tividale.  

Reflecting on Owen and Sam’s performance at the regional heat, Andrew Whitehouse said: “It was a good chance to show their adaptability and the skills they put into action every day at their workplace. The finals are going to be tough, but I know they will represent us brilliantly.” 

Brodie-Anne Bishop expressed her admiration for Viktoria’s achievement, saying: “I’m so proud of Viktoria for securing a place in the WorldSkills National Final. Her commitment, skill, and determination have truly stood out. Everyone on the team is behind her, cheering her on and wishing her the best in the competition!” 

The National Finals will see them compete against other learners from across the UK in a challenging four-day competition. All three competitors may also be invited to take part in the WorldSkills International Competition, with the chance to represent the UK in Japan in 2028. 

Dudley College of Technology students studying for qualifications including T-Levels, Level 3 Diplomas and Certificates, and professional qualifications today celebrated their outstanding achievement.

65% of the 145 T level students at the college achieved a Merit or Distinction  grade with subjects including, On site Construction, and Digital Support Services doing particularly well. But the outstanding T level achievement was for learners studying Education and Early Years, in which almost 60% of all the entries achieved a Distinction grade.

Celebrating with learners today College Chief Executive and Principal Diana Martin said.  

“Dudley College was one of the first providers nationally to offer T levels and our rising enrolments from 59 students last year to 145 this year, proves the popularity of these programmes. The rising achievement rates demonstrate the excellent teaching we provide, and that students who take the opportunities offered do well. I want new students joining us this September to have high aspirations and follow in the footsteps of this year’s learners.” 

Many other non- T-level vocational subjects including the Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice, Extended Diploma in Sport, and Extended Diploma in Performing Arts had a 100% pass rate.  With students on the Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice doing outstandingly well; 72% achieving Distinction or Distinction* grades.

Eleanor Vaughan, Adeena Tanveer and Irene Ansere-Boampong who were three of the top performing T level in Education and Early years students were all looking forward to moving to university. Eleanor to Sheffield to study for a degree in Early years Education, Adeena to study as a Primary school teacher at BCU and Irene to study at BCU. 

Commenting at their time at college they said:

“It’s been hard work but fun too – we can’t believe we’ve all done so well and just feel so happy for ourselves and our other classmates.”

Head of 16-19 programmes Rajinder Haire also praised staff teaching on the Certificate in Travel and Tourism as 74% of all grades awarded were Distinctions or Distinction*, from 46 learners.  Commenting on the successes she said:

“As a college we exist to help learners secure qualifications that will hopefully be the passport to rewarding careers. We are delighted that our hard-working learners have “smashed it out of the park” when it comes to this year’s results!”

T level Electrical students Oliver Rolls Whitmore and Ethan Moss were celebrating their top grades knowing it had helped them secure a future apprenticeship. Talking about their time at college they said:

“We want to thank our tutors and E.ON Electrical who gave us our industry placement, we learnt a lot both in the classroom and out in industry – which is the perfect thing about T levels.”

The College’s Animal management programmes also performed strongly with student Natasha Collier achieving a triple Distinction* grade and 7 other learners achieving a triple Distinction. 

Dudley College is currently taking applications for September admission in a wide range of vocational subjects.  Students who are interested in joining should telephone 0800 783 6095 for further information or visit dudleycol.ac.uk.   

Photos from the day are available to download here.

Dudley College of Technology’s Celebrating Success Awards Evening returned on Thursday 19^th 2025, shining a spotlight on the achievements of more than 60 students from across the college. Awards were given in four main categories including Outstanding Learner Achievement (16-18), Outstanding Learner Achievement (Adults/Apprentices), Outstanding Achievement in Personal Development & Peer Support and Outstanding Achievement in English & Mathematics. There were also three special categories reserved for students for Contributions to College Life, Community Service and Sustainability.  

The evening began with a reception, where Music students performed and Music Production students supported with sound, on a range of modern rock songs under the guidance of Tutor Matt Dudley, whilst guests had the chance to relax with drinks and canapés. Upon entering the hall, learners and their families were greeted with additional music provided by music technology student Henry Percival, who’s skilled piano playing wowed the guests as they took their seats. The awards ceremony itself was hosted by Chief Executive and Principal of the College: Diana Martin, alongside Vice Principals Rachel Corns and Claire Millard.  

The evening concluded on a high note with a captivating performance by Musical Theatre student Amabelle Lewis, who delivered a range of musical numbers including “Morning Person” from Shrek the Musical, under the direction of her Tutor Stephen Dutton.  

Photos from the evening are available to download here