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World class Wellingborough

Wellingborough campus exterior.

Almost 1,000 students will eventually be able to gain their skills training within the newly refurbished Wellingborough campus of Tresham College, a boom for the local economy and education for the town and surrounding area.

The campus opened on time, and within budget, in September 2020 with the expected 300 students, despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. More and more will follow as adult learners and those leaving school next year flock to sign up.

Wellingborough campus exterior.

Ian Pryce CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of The Bedford College Group, which has undertaken the £10million project to modernise the tower block and ground level site, says

The world has changed beyond measure since we started the building work, but our mission remains the same and is more important than ever before. We are here to offer world-class training and educational opportunities to young people seeking their first jobs and their friends and families who need new skills in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Wellingborough campus is part of Tresham College which merged with Bedford College in 2017 to form The Bedford College Group. The Group was awarded £7.5million in July 2018 from the SEMLEP Local Growth Fund skills capital investment programme to progress with the Wellingborough redevelopment project.

Amid changes to local Government roles, Councillor Martin Griffiths, a SEMLEP Board member, has been behind the Wellingborough project from the start.

Councillor Martin Griffiths, said,

This is one of the most significant developments to take place in Wellingborough for many years, which will provide young people and adults with access to further education here in Wellingborough. Councillors and officers have been working closely with colleagues at The Bedford College Group, and SEMLEP to deliver this ambitious project and I would like to thank everyone involved. This brand new facility will complement the regeneration of our town centre and the high-quality redevelopment will enhance this area of the town. The College will play a crucial role in our economic recovery from the current pandemic, providing opportunities for our residents and encouraging visitors to our town.

Lucinda Young, from SEMLEP, added,

This is all about providing good quality facilities for people to come to learn and enjoy. We are working to tackle a big skills agenda for our area and The Bedford College Group has an important role in upskilling and re-skilling our workforces and young people about to enter the world of work.

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