GROUND was broken today on a major building project for a £26million university which is being built at Castle Hill.

Dudley Council and its partners are building the new college with government funding under the Towns Fund.

Work started at the site today (Tuesday September 3). 

The University of Worcester will run a nursing college, providing teaching and learning for university-level courses centred around the health care sector including nursing, midwifery and paramedic science.

Dudley College of Technology worked alongside the council to develop plans for the new facility, following the development of the successful Dudley Learning Quarter and the creation of the Black Country and Marches Institute of Technology.

The college already has people signed up to some courses, with students set to study at an existing campus until the new site opens in 2026.

Councillor Paul Bradley, deputy leader of Dudley Council, said: “We are incredibly lucky to be working with Dudley College, the University of Worcester and our partners to bring this project to the borough.

“I’m delighted we have broken ground on the site, which will create a much-needed health care sector campus and create a fantastic opportunity for anyone who would like to pursue a career in health.”

Neil Thomas, chief executive and principle at Dudley College, said: “We are very pleased to be working in collaboration with the council and partners to develop another fantastic educational facility in Dudley.

“I am sure this new training facility will provide fantastic opportunities for residents and business across the wider region.”

The Dudley Town Board, including Dudley Council and Dudley College of Technology, is overseeing the project and has worked to ensure terms of the funding are met.