KIDDERMINSTER College is on the lookout for potential partners to merge with in a “bold” move to improve opportunities for learners.

The college wants to team up with one or more organisations to take its development to the next stage.

Governors say a merger would bring the most benefits to the college’s learners and staff as well as the local community and employers.

Andy Dobson, principal, explained: “This is a strong and successful college, but a small one, and our ambitions for the future require the resources of a larger organisation.

“We want the best possible opportunities for our learners, the local community and employers and our staff and we believe this is the best way to achieve that.

“The importance of further education in delivering skills to drive economic growth is being increasingly recognised and we need to ensure that we are well placed to do so.”

He added: “We have very strong finances, our success rates are above the national average and we have a good record of investing in facilities for the local community.

“Now we will be looking for one or more partner/s who can assist us in reaching the next level and create a college that can make an increasingly significant contribution to the local and regional economy and further enhance the range of opportunity available in Kidderminster and the Wyre Forest.”

Organisations interested in merging with the college should contact it. A formal document will be published in September, setting out the type of collaborations the college is looking for.

Proposals should bring clear benefits to learners, the local communities and employers and will be subject to full consultation.

The process is expected to be finished by July, 2014 and the college will remain open and continue with all its planned developments during that time.

David Cory, chairman of governors, said: “We have given a lot of thought to how best to fulfill the college’s purpose of providing education and training for the people and businesses of this area. This bold step will allow us to build on our strengths and to make an even bigger difference locally.”