Annual Review 2009-10

It was, undoubtedly, another challenging year for the college and for the communities and businesses we support here in the Black Country. If anything, these difficult economic times heighten the importance of further education and the significant role colleges play in the social and economic regeneration of their local communities.

Last year, through our diverse curriculum, we supported record numbers of young people on full time programmes and apprenticeships. In doing so we were pleased to see our success rates maintained above the national average and improved considerably in some areas. In short, more young people attended the college than ever before and more left us with their target qualification achieved.

Like many other colleges we experienced significant cuts in funding for general adult education programmes. In many ways it is disappointing to see these programmes in decline. We are, however, immensely proud of the significant growth we achieved on our programmes to upskill employed adults and to get those out of work back into jobs. Our new employability centre at Brierley Hill operated close to capacity throughout the year.

Whilst we know there are further reductions in public funding in 2010-11 and beyond, we remain positive and up-beat about our future. In January 2011 building work starts on our new Dudley town centre campus and in 2012 we will be celebrating our 150th anniversary with the opening of our new campus. ...

Browse the complete Annual Review 2009-10 by clicking on the cover image.

Annual Review 2008-09

There's no point pretending that these are anything but trying times. 2008-09 has been a difficult year for many in the Black Country and the global recession has had a profound and damaging effect on our local economy.

Here at Dudley College we have been acutely aware of our heightened role as many local people and businesses have turned to us for help. Through 2008-09 we supported record numbers of both young people, on full and part time courses, and adults, following employer based learning programmes.

We also introduced a suite of courses especially designed to meet the needs of those made redundant or at risk of redundancy. To accommodate demand from adult learners, we made some radical changes to the delivery pattern of many of our learning programmes, including more flexible start dates, opening at weekends, work based assessment and training during unsocial hours. These changes have not compromised the quality of our work.

For the fourth consecutive year our success rates have improved, these are now above national benchmarks across all levels and across all age groups. This is a tremendous achievement. In addition, close management of our own finances, which has included a programme of efficiency savings across the college, has resulted in good financial performance, consolidating our underlying financial strength. As ever, it is the staff of the college who have delivered this performance and who deserve our thanks.

We are now firmly in a position to look forward, with confidence even in these uncertain times, to a successful future. ...

Browse the complete Annual Review 2008-09 by clicking on the cover image.