Cambridge Regional College (CRC) welcomed Mayor of the Cambridgeshire and
Peterborough Combined Authority, to its Huntingdon campus this
week to showcase the college's work in supporting skills
development and regional growth.
The visit provided an opportunity for Mayor and Rob Bridge to see
first-hand the wide-ranging educational and training programmes
offered by CRC, which educates over 4,000 16–19-year-old
students, 650 apprentices, and 7,000 adult learners annually and
is recognised for its strong alignment with employers' skills
needs.
During the visit, the delegation explored CRC's innovative
initiatives, including the Youth Trailblazer programme, T Level
Early Years students, Skills Bootcamp successes, and the recently
established Construction Hub. These initiatives provide young
people and adults with vital hands-on experience, ensuring they
are ready for life, work, and careers in key industries.
The Huntingdon Campus, in particular, demonstrated the impact of
targeted investment. Since merging with Cambridge in 2017, CRC
has invested around £4 million in Huntingdon, creating a vibrant
learning environment offering programmes in construction, health
and social care, early years, hair and beauty and supported
learning. As well as specialised adult education to support
retraining and upskilling across forklift and logistics,
retrofit, renewable technologies, teaching assistants, digital
skills, ESOL, English and maths and counselling. Apprenticeships
in electrical installation and carpentry have recently been added
to expand local opportunities.
Mark Robertson, Principal and CEO, Cambridge Regional
College:
“The Huntingdon Campus has gone from strength to strength over
the last 9 years. With growing enrolments, we're supporting young
people to train for careers in the construction industry, health
and social care, childcare and hair and beauty industries through
vocational study programmes, T Levels and apprenticeships.
“Our adult education offering is supporting upskilling and
employability in the region and it's been great to be able to
share with the Mayor and CEO of the CPCA some of the successes
our learners have experienced though CPCA funded initiatives such
as the Skills Bootcamps, retraining and gaining great jobs and a
new career path as a result of the adult education opportunities
provided. We are delighted the CPCA recognise skills development
as an important key to prosperity in the region, to the
fulfilment of the CPCA Growth plan. and that CRC is identified as
a key partner in delivering success for the region ”
CRC works closely with over 1,000 local employers, as well as
regional bodies including the Chamber of Commerce, Cambridge
Ahead, and Make UK, to ensure courses meet the evolving needs of
the workforce. The college also provides specialised higher
education and professional qualifications and pathways on to
higher education , helping adults upskill or reskill in response
to local economic demand.
Mayor said, “It was inspiring to see
the breadth and quality of CRC's work. The college is clearly
equipping young people and adults with the skills needed for the
future, supporting both employment and regional growth.”
The visit concluded with a discussion on future opportunities for
collaboration, including potential funding for adult courses and
further alignment with regional growth and employment strategies.
