The College of West Anglia’s School of Nursing Studies will be able to upskill more than 1,300 students thanks to funding from Norfolk County Council.

Clinical storage, interactive training mannequins and other equipment required to support vocational and technical education and skills programmes – including apprenticeships at the Lynn campus – have been purchased by the college with the £188,930 grant.

Building work on a second storey at the School of Nursing Studies was recently completed, with the £1.4million scheme funded by the University of Suffolk’s Centre of Excellence for Health Apprenticeships project with additional funding from the college.

The extra space will provide further teaching spaces, clinical skills labs and simulation facilities, expand the capacity, and enhance the learning environment for aspiring healthcare professionals.

This investment includes innovative, interactive VR and AI technologies, as well as hyper-realistic robot mannequins designed to represent the diversity of gender, age, and ethnicity.

Authentic clinical equipment also reflects the evolving local healthcare needs, ensuring the college remains flexible in meeting the developing training requirements to support them.

Sophie Wareham, 24, who is currently studying Access to Medicine, said: “While I have found the course to be demanding, the support from the tutors at the School of Nursing Studies has helped me to progress, build confidence in my academic ability and prepared me for higher education.

“This is also a result of the facilities provided in the building, which have made a huge contribution to everyone’s achievement in their individual courses and benefit the whole cohort.

“Having access to equipment like this has not only enhanced our learning environment but increased our motivation and ambition too.”

Wayne Pereria, 21, who is also undertaking the Access to Medicine course, added: “The School of Nursing Studies is an amazing facility and, with the support it is receiving from Norfolk County Council, it will continue to grow into one of the best in the country.

“The facilities provide a great opportunity to develop essential skills, but it is the tutors who make the course truly engaging and enjoyable.”

It is estimated that 90% of the 1,320 students will secure employment in this region. This will make a significant contribution to skills provision in a key economic sector, particularly with the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital being developed.

College principal David Pomfret said: “The healthcare sector is a priority for the local economy, and one which affects us all. The School of Nursing Studies is one of the best equipped healthcare skills development centres in the region.

“The recent expansion, and investment in additional resources from Norfolk County Council, will enable us to train more local people for careers across a wider range of health and social care settings, including dentistry.”

Cllr Fabian Eagle, cabinet member for employment and skills at the county council, said: “I am delighted that the county council has been able to help fund the specialist equipment for this vital teaching facility.

“Health and social care, dentistry included, is one of the sectors where we have a shortage of skills so these additional facilities at the College of West Anglia will deliver lasting benefits for people living in our region.”

Cllr Rob Colwell, the county council member for Gaywood North Bank, added: “The state-of-the-art facility is growing, and this can only be a good thing for students and West Norfolk.

“This vital new grant ensures high-quality specialist equipment is available and strengthens the collaboration with local health centres like the QEH, supporting the local workforce needs.”

Cllr Lesley Bambridge, the council’s member for Lynn North and Central, said: “I have long been impressed with what the College of West Anglia offers particularly with the School of Nursing Studies, and courses like Access to Medicine, which opens up many opportunities in healthcare for which there is a great demand for skilled people.

“This Norfolk County Council grant will enhance that learning and give the students hands-on training for the many career paths that are available in this sector.”