TCAT welcomes merger talks with New College
Telford College of Arts and Technology has welcomed the opportunity to enter into merger talks with its near neighbour, New College Telford.
New College has confirmed it is no longer seeking to link up with Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology, and Shrewsbury Sixth Form College, saying it wants to explore a tie-in with TCAT instead.
It says the change of plan has been prompted by feedback from a review of further education facilities across the region – as well as views expressed in an ongoing public consultation, and by many New College students.
Jo Lomax, interim principal at TCAT, said: “We’re delighted to have begun talks with the New College management team. This is an exciting opportunity for both colleges to benefit from each other’s expertise.
“The needs of students are the most important factor in all of this, and we feel that a merger between Telford College and New College would be in the best interests of learners in the Telford & Wrekin borough.
“Not only will it add an excellent sixth form provision to the TCAT portfolio, it will also open up our state-of-the-art vocational training programmes to New College learners. And with our campuses already within walking distance, there would be no transport-related disruption to students."
She said TCAT’s newly restructured management team had formed a much closer working relationship with New College in recent weeks.
“It has become increasingly clear that this is a merger which makes sense on many levels, and that there is enthusiasm on both sides to see if we can make it happen.
“New College would have access to the vocational expertise and the facilities here at TCAT, and we would be able to use our longstanding links with local employers to help boost the New College apprenticeships offering.”
New College principal Fiona O’Brien said it had also become clear that a merger between New College and TCAT was the preferred option of the panel involved in a current review of further education across the Marches region.
“Their view is also supported by Telford & Wrekin Council, and the local business board, who agree that this option would be in the best interests of Telford students.
“This is why we have taken the decision to change our preferred merger partner – a move which has not been made lightly, and has only been taken after close consultation with our governors, unions and partners.
“We did detect a reluctance among some of our New College students to the idea of having to travel to Shrewsbury on a regular basis.”
Related Article: Shrewsbury College and Shrewsbury Sixth Form College to merge
