New College Nottingham and Central College Nottingham today (June 8) officially announced their merger – to become ‘Nottingham College’, one of the largest further education colleges in the country.
The legal merger follows a public consultation last year (2016), discussions with staff and students, and months of planning in the run up to today’s announcement.
Nottingham College will have an estimated annual turnover of over £80million, employ 1,500 staff; and will support up to 40,000 full and part-time students on further and higher education, and higher-level Apprenticeship courses.
In addition to inheriting CCN and NCN’S current sites, Nottingham College plans to build a £60million ‘Nottingham City Hub’ skills facility off Canal Street, Nottingham city centre.
Nottingham City Council has agreed around £19m in funding, the College will also invest and the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership is set to provide up to £30million (subject to the College’s detailed business plan).
Work on the Nottingham City Hub is due to begin in 2018, with a completion date of 2020. Sheffield architects Bond Bryan are finalising a design for the building to submit for outline planning permission in late 2017.
John van de Laarschot, Chief Executive of Nottingham College, (pictured above with Central College and NCN staff and students), said: “Today we begin a radical transformation of post-16 education in Nottingham. We have a unique opportunity to bring students and employers into a single, dynamic learning environment and I want to encourage employers, partners, parents and students to join us as we design a new and very different kind of College.
“We are redefining the relationship that exists between education and work; shaping the college around the needs of employers, to equip our students with the employability and technical skills to be successful in the workplace.
“We’ve already entered into discussions with representatives of local and national employers to make sure that the Nottingham College curriculum is designed around their needs for a sustainable and skilled workforce, and we will continue to prioritise investment in areas of our business which support the region’s economic growth plans.”
Carole Thorogood, Designate Chair of Nottingham College, added: “I wish to publicly acknowledge the contribution of colleagues and partner organisations who have worked tirelessly to bring this merger over the line. The guidance of the Education and Skills Funding Agency, and the partnerships forged with the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, Barclays Bank and Nottingham City Council have been invaluable.”
David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Congratulations to all at the new Nottingham College on the completion of its official merger.
“Nottingham has ambitious plans to increase economic growth and the prosperity of its communities. The formation of Nottingham College, a college of and for the city, provides a real opportunity to develop the skills local people need. Working in partnership with schools, our universities and other skills providers it will deliver a step change in skills; and help raise productivity, leading to improved opportunities and quality of life for Nottingham’s citizens.”
For further information on Nottingham College see web link www.ncn.ac.uk/about-us/news/ncn-and-central-college-merge-to-become-nottingham
More information on how D2N2 is promoting skills and training in its area – of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – to boost economic growth, can be found on its skills website at www.d2n2schools.co.uk
