More people are returning to study as public perception about rising unemployment grows, according to Telford Rural Polytechnic chief executive Jonathan Walmisley, who is overseeing the biggest mid-year intake there in two years.
Mr Walmisley says the perceived lack of jobs is a factor that is encouraging both younger and mature students back to institutions to add to their qualifications.
The trend was being noticed by polytechnics around the country.
"Enrolments are counter-cyclical to employment. The worse the economy, the more people we have returning for more study."
The boost in numbers meant there would be about 110 full-time students living and studying at the Telford campus - the biggest number there for several years.
