STRATEGIC PLAN

Indeed, the college has changed much in this time, attracting close to 40% more students across a diverse range of study types, levels and subjects and commencing a £20m investment programme as part of our site masterplan.

At the heart of this change has been our cultural transformation, underpinned by higher expectations, higher standards of education and an ethos of continuous improvement embodied by our college values.

The land-based sector, which we support through the majority of our training and education, is also quite different now compared to 2016 but is on the cusp of perhaps the most seismic changes it will have seen for a generation. Informed by new legislation yet driven by many global factors, including climate change and food security (only exacerbated by recent events such as the pandemic and Brexit), these industries require new approaches, practices and mindsets.

Education, training and skills development have a more predominant role to play, facilitated partly by changes in the education sector but also by the college’s progress and position of strength.

The Skills and Post 16 Education Act (2022) builds on recognising the value of colleges in economic development as part of a place-based system, responding to employer needs that positively impact local communities through greater reach than ever.

The college is very well placed to play a pivotal role in the changes required amongst the industries we serve, and our new strategic plan sets out our priorities and our new ambitious vision for the future.

It has been informed by a yearlong consultation process engaging thousands of staff, students and employers.