✈️ Welcoming Steve Rowley to the Aviation Academy We’re pleased to introduce Steve Rowley, our new Higher Education Lecturer at the Aviation Academy. Steve joins us with experience from British Airways and 22 years in the Royal Air Force, where he also led a technical training school. He’s passionate about vocational, hands‑on engineering education and brings valuable expertise in safety, compliance and professional standards. Steve is excited to help develop the next generation of aviation engineers — and we’re thrilled to have him on board. ✈️ #TalentMakers

Breaking Barriers and Building Futures As part of our International Women’s Day celebrations, Southwark College was delighted to welcome a group of inspiring young women from Berkeley Group, who generously shared their personal journeys into the construction industry. Through discussions on apprenticeships, university pathways, and professional development, they demonstrated the exciting, diverse, and evolving opportunities within the sector. Their insights delivered a powerful message for our students: with determination, resilience, and the right support, anything is possible. Our sincere thanks to the Berkeley Group team for helping inspire the next generation of women in construction and STEM. #WomenInConstruction #WomenInSTEM #BerkeleyGroup #Apprenticeships #SouthwarkCollege #SkillsForLife

A big thank you to Kay and Neil Fellows from STOURBRIDGE AUTOMOTIVE LIMITED who visited our Green Technology Centre this morning. They generously donated a BMW 1 Series, which will now be used by our apprentices as part of their hands on learning. The vehicle will support teaching across our automotive courses, giving learners the chance to develop practical skills, explore vehicle systems, and gain real world experience working on modern cars. Partnerships like this help ensure our apprentices are learning with the tools and equipment used in the industry today. A special thank you to Jack Draper and Louisa Ellis from our Apprenticeship team for helping to organise the donation and support this fantastic industry partnership. 👏 #TeamKC #Automotive #FurtherEducation #KidderminsterCollege #NCGCommunity

What a perfect way to end a busy week! This morning Kidderminster College welcomed employers and stakeholders to our 2nd Foundation & Futures Forum. Delegates had the chance to hear from our Head of Construction Catherine Williams, our Assistant Principal Jon Britton, Martin White from Severn Valley Railway, Donna MacDonald ASSOC CIPD HR Ninja 🥷 from EBC Group and Jamie Clyne from Worcestershire Growth Hub, present on a host of talking points and what support is available. Thankyou to guest speakers for their time this morning and thanks to everyone who attended. I hope you found the event insightful and enjoyed your morning with us!

Why are we backing calls for better collaboration between colleges and universities? Because FE colleges already play a vital role in helping people access high-quality higher education. As Principal of Newcastle College and Chair of Mixed Economy Group Jon R. says: "Across the country, thousands of young people and adults are undertaking first class higher education training and studies at their local college. If we are serious about addressing the government's targets for participation in higher technical skills, as outlined in the recent Skills White Paper, then a re-examination of the traditional Further and Higher education relationship is required and the critical role of colleges in providing the skills needed to boost our economy, locally and nationally, needs to be fully recognised and rewarded." Now a new report from LifeLong Education Institute on behalf of MEG colleges has set out why more collaboration with universities is essential to meeting the UK’s higher-level skills needs. We welcome the Partners in Progress report’s call for: • Joint FE–HE course design • Streamlined HTQ awarding powers • Stronger place based planning based planning • Recognition of colleges’ role in higher technical education 📄 Read the full report at https://orlo.uk/Lt2e0 #LifelongLearning #MEG #HigherEducation #FurtherEducation

We are proud to continue strengthening our industry partnership with Bubble Food. This collaboration provides our learners with valuable, real‑world experience in professional kitchens and live event environments supported by demonstrations, masterclasses and guided work placements that help them build the skills, confidence and work readiness the sector needs. Through sustained employer engagement and Bubble Food’s contribution to our Employer Advisory Board, this partnership ensures our curriculum remains closely aligned with industry expectations while supporting the development of the next generation of hospitality and catering professionals. We are always keen to collaborate with employers who want to help shape future talent, influence curriculum design and create meaningful pathways into the sector. If you’d like to get involved, please visit: https://orlo.uk/ZZhmV #LewishamCollege #CollegesWeek2026 #EmployerPartnerships #SkillsForLife #FurtherEducation #HospitalityCareers #LoveOurColleges

Today we brought together over 70 digital and tech employers at Newcastle College for our Digital Business Breakfast, developed with Newcastle City Council's Inclusive Employment Team and colleagues across the Combined Authority. ✨ We celebrated how regional employers are using T Level industry placements, apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications and degree apprenticeships to recruit, develop and retain brilliant young talent. And the message was clear: Young people in the North East want technical pathways. We now need more opportunities to match their ambition. With one third of T Level learners being offered an apprenticeship by their placement employer, the potential is huge, but partnership is how we unlock it. This morning guests heard from leading voices including Tim Pain, Jen Hartley and Dr David Dunn, followed by an insightful employer panel focused on building smarter, future focused talent pipelines. Spotlight conversations with learners and apprentices brought the impact to life and showed the real stories behind these pathways. Thank you to every employer who joined us and to our colleagues from Work and Thrive and the North East CA Shine North East team for supporting the next steps. Together, we can make the North East the Home of Real Opportunity.    #NAW2026

We are delighted to welcome our staff back onto campus for a CPD day 🥰 The morning sessions focused on 'Working Together for Student Success' which was hosted by Guy Walker from Dovetail & Slate, before an NCG session for those within an educator role. The afternoon will focus on bespoke team sessions that have been designed to support each team's unique needs and priorities.