TWO Wiltshire colleges have been given the go-ahead locally for merger.
The Learning And Skills Council for Wiltshire And Swindon has approved proposals for Salisbury College and Wiltshire College, which has campuses in Chippenham, Trowbridge and Lackham, to merge as part of a county-wide strategy to create one of the top general further education institutions in the country.
Area director Marinos Paphitis said that the plans represented an opportunity to further enhance the provision of education in the county.
The proposals will now go to the Secretary of State for final approval, with a decision anticipated before Christmas. The merger itself would take place on January 1, 2008.
Mr Paphitis said: "The LSC Wiltshire and Swindon are pleased to support the plans for merger between Salisbury College and the Wiltshire College because it will bring real benefit to the learners and communities in the county.
"We are working closely with both organisations and believe that the merger will create exciting new opportunities to develop a college that will meet the needs of Wiltshire in the 21st Century."
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