Stoke adult learning service moves to new home to improve facilities and employment support
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is moving its Adult and Community Learning service to a new base in the city, with the council saying the move will make it easier for residents to access education, careers advice and support into employment.
The Adult and Community Learning (ACL) service will move to Swann House on Boothen Road, where it will provide learning opportunities for Stoke-on-Trent residents aged 19 and over.
The council says the new location will provide learners with improved facilities and a more modern learning environment, while also giving the service greater flexibility to expand as demand for adult education grows.
The move will also bring the adult learning service together with the council's employment and skills teams, meaning residents will be able to access learning, careers advice and employment support under one roof.
The idea is to provide more joined-up help for people looking to gain new qualifications, improve their skills, progress in their careers or get back into work.
Council leader Jane Ashworth is backing the wider approach as the authority looks to improve skills and employment opportunities across Stoke-on-Trent.
The move follows a period of improvement for the council's Adult and Community Learning service. In 2023, the service was rated Good by Ofsted, having previously been rated Requires Improvement.
Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for children's services, said the service provides opportunities for residents and helps people improve their job prospects and confidence.
The council says courses are already being offered for September 2026, including maths and health and wellbeing.
The move is part of the council's wider plans to make learning and employment support more accessible across the city.
