22/01/2026
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 30th January. Taking on board the feedback, we receive the strategy will be finalised in February 2026 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.
