City of Liverpool College invests in science and tech skills with new £3m lab

The City of Liverpool College is set to open its new multi-million pound laboratory as part of a drive to boost science and technology skills across the city region.

Located at the college’s Clarence Street campus, the facility was funded with £3m from the £232m Growth Deal secured by the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in 2014.

Earlier this week (September 26), Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner met with female students at the refurbished Science and Learning Resource Centre (LRC) to discuss choosing a career in the STEM fields.

Angela Rayner, who is the MP for Ashton-under-Lyne, said: “This is a fantastic new development which will enable more young people, especially women, to study science, technology and maths and go on to both further and higher education.

“This is a significant investment in our young people and our future and I am delighted to see that The City of Liverpool College is leading the way in helping Britain to make its way in the world, post-Brexit.”

Dr Katie Spall, assistant principal of the college’s sixth form, City 6, commented: “The new facility will strengthen our teaching and enable us to deliver more for STEM students, who in the past have been really dedicated to their subjects and strive to do great things in their careers.

“The college is making an important investment in the future of science, not just in Liverpool but all over the country and the rest of the world.”

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s portfolio lead for employment and skills, Cllr Ian Maher, said the Growth Deal funding is ensuring the Liverpool City Region is well positioned to attract investment and unlock growth in the long term.

“Skills is a clear priority for the Combined Authority and I’m delighted to see this investment in science and technology learning, particularly as skills in these areas are in demand from employers and will play a critical role in future economic growth.”

Asif Hamid, the interim chair of the Liverpool LEP, said the Growth Deal funding will help to unlock the city region’s potential as an “economic powerhouse”, adding: “This investment in new science facilities will help our young people acquire the right skills for the future.”

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