Young people are set to benefit from new higher education opportunities.

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has pledged £3.5 million towards a new University Centre and Rural Business Development Hub at Kingston Maurward

Lorna Carver, Dorset LEP director, said, “We are delighted to be able to award a significant amount from our overall £11.8 million Getting Building Fund allocation towards this much-needed development. Our investment in this exciting project will address the significant deficiency in HE provision in rural Dorset, help to plug the productivity gap and provide valuable support to the rural business community.”

Luke Rake, principal of Kingston Maurward College, commented, “A dedicated rural business centre will both support businesses across the rural area and also increase opportunities with our new Rural Business, Tourism and Heritage Land Management programmes for Sixth Formers and University students from 2021-22. It is extremely exciting and a game-changer for both the college, Dorchester and the rural county.”