Nottingham College is the latest institution to commit to the Universities for Nottingham (UfN) partnership, signalling an expansion of the network of collaborators who have come together to champion the interests of Nottingham residents and communities.

Nottingham College is the largest further education college in the East Midlands and one of the top 10 largest in the UK. The College, with around 8000 young people, 15,000 adults, 1500 apprentices and around 500 HE students, has a significant role to play in delivering economic prosperity and social cohesion for Nottingham and the wider county.

Janet Smith, Principal and CEO of Nottingham College, joins the Vice Chancellors of both universities in Nottingham, local authority leaders, leaders of our local healthcare trusts, Integrated Care Board and the Principal and CEO of Vision West Nottinghamshire College, as a signatory of the Universities for Nottingham Civic Agreement, committing the college to a shared mission to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for the communities that unite us.

In the last 18 months, the college has won national accolades for the volunteering work of its staff and students, for the social action projects pioneered by students, which have had a significant and resounding impact on local communities, and for its approach to mental health and wellbeing internally amongst staff and students.

The college has also led the charge in securing more than £16m in government investment in skills over the last three years. Funding through the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) will support the development of new training opportunities in green and digital skills and build on the successful delivery of several initiatives delivered through the SDF (Strategic Development Fund). The T-level Implementation Fund has led to the college creating a simulated adult care ward within its City Hub campus and through the FE Capital Transformation Fund a new centre for students with learning disabilities and/or difficulties is in development, as too is the regeneration of the college’s art and design campus on Stoney Street in the city centre. In addition, through the Post-16 Capacity Fund the college is funding a new construction skills centre to expand construction skills training in Nottingham, and through a number of OfS grants the college has invested in the development of new higher skills pathways in computing and media, engineering, science and construction.

Janet Smith, Principal and CEO of Nottingham College, said:

“I’m thrilled to be joining an esteemed community of institutions and individuals to champion the social, economic and cultural impact we have on the city and wider county. Our college plays a vital role in delivering educational and economic impact, with tens of thousands of people, every year, gaining qualifications, upskilling and training to attain jobs and careers that support local and regional economic growth and prosperity.

“But, as a college, we serve an important social purpose too. As a general FE college, serving Nottingham, the wider conurbation and significant parts of our county and neighbouring counties too, we connect people to learning experiences that enhance their livelihoods and their life chances.

I’m convinced that through this partnership we will be able to extend and enhance our impact further, making a real difference to the communities we serve.”