Businesses are being invited to help shape the future of further education in Northamptonshire as Northampton College and Moulton College today launch a public consultation on proposals to merge.
The six-week consultation gives employers, students, residents and community organisations the opportunity to comment on plans to create a single college group serving the county. The colleges say the proposal would strengthen further education provision while helping meet the evolving skills needs of Northamptonshire businesses.
If approved, the merger would create one of the largest further education providers in the region, bringing together more than 12,000 learners across five campuses and around 1,300 staff. Both colleges would continue to operate under their existing brands, while a new parent organisation would be established as the Northampton and Moulton Colleges Group.
No decision has yet been made on the proposal. Feedback gathered during the consultation will be considered by the governing bodies of both colleges before any final decision is taken.
Jason Lancaster, principal and chief executive of Northampton College, said: “This proposal is about building on the strengths of two successful colleges to create an even better future for learners across Northamptonshire. We believe there is a real opportunity to enhance what we already offer, but it is essential that we hear from the people we serve before any decisions are made.
“We are committed to being open and transparent throughout this process and I would encourage anyone with an interest in the future of education and skills in Northamptonshire to take part in the consultation. Whether you are a student, parent, employer, former student or local resident, your views matter and will help shape the next stage of this proposal.”
Oliver Symons, principal and chief executive of Moulton College, said the proposal would bring together the complementary strengths of both institutions while protecting the specialist provision and identities of each college.
He said: “Northampton College and Moulton College each have proud histories, distinctive strengths and an important role within our local communities. By bringing those complementary strengths together, we have the opportunity to create an even stronger education and skills offer for the county while protecting the specialist provision and identities that people know and value.
“This consultation is about listening. We want to hear people’s questions, views and ideas so that any future organisation reflects the needs of learners, employers and the communities we serve.”
A series of consultation events will be held across Northamptonshire during September, giving members of the public the opportunity to meet senior leaders from both colleges, ask questions and share their views. Responses can also be submitted online, by email or by post throughout the consultation period.
The consultation closes on 21 September, with a summary of responses due to be published in October before governors from both colleges decide on the next steps.
Further information about the proposals, consultation events and how to respond is available on the dedicated merger webpages of the Northampton College and Moulton College websites.
