07 Feb 2022
Bassetlaw District Council and the RNN Group will be bridging the skills gap in North Nottinghamshire with a new partnership that will deliver better futures for local people.
The RNN Group confirmed this week that they will be the first education provider to deliver opportunities at ‘The Bridge – Skills Hub’, the Council’s flagship regeneration project that is currently taking shape at Bridge Court in Worksop (formerly badged as the Worksop Access to Skills Hub).
The Bridge will welcome students, businesses and learners in April this year through courses that will provide access to Higher Education and meet the emerging needs of local and regional employers.
As well as initially offering opportunities across a range of subjects including Health and Social Care and Leadership and Management, it is anticipated that more diverse subjects in the fields of digital transformation; green technologies and low carbon and construction will be offered as the provision of skills providers is expanded.
‘The Bridge’ will create 50 jobs and support 300 learners, following a 12-month build project that has seen a long-term vacant building at the gateway to the town centre transformed into a state of the art skills hub. More announcements are expected as the project develops.
Cllr Jo White, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “The focus of The Bridge Skills Hub is to change lives, provide new opportunities, raise aspirations and increase local prosperity.
“This state-of-the-art skills hub is being created with modern high-class facilities for its future students to develop and I welcome the RNN Group taking the lead and using The Bridge to increase their range of courses for local people.
“Worksop town centre is desperate for a place like The Bridge; a catalyst that will increase the number of visitors to our high street, support local businesses, shops and cafes, which is really needed in these current, difficult times.”
As part of a phased opening, RNN Group will expand the current level of provision provided by their North Notts College campus and will offer Access to Higher Education Diplomas from Levels 4, 5 and 6 including:
- Level 4 Lead Practitioner in Adult Care
- Level 5 Leader in Adult Care
- Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship
In addition to courses starting as part of the new academic year in September that include:
- Foundation Degree Early Childhood Studies
- Foundation Degree in Professional Practice in Health and Social Care
- Access to Higher Education (Health) Diploma Health Science Professional Level 3
- Higher Apprenticeship Assistant Practitioner
Jason Austin, CEO and Principal from RNN Group said: “We are delighted to provide access to Higher Education in Bassetlaw alongside our already established Further Education provision at North Notts College. This is a fantastic opportunity for the community to have wider access to study higher-level skills locally, providing career enhancing opportunities.”
Creation of ‘The Bridge’ has been supported by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership with funding of £3.5million from their allocation of the Government’s Getting Building Fund.
Will Morlidge, Interim Chief Executive at D2N2 said: “I'm delighted with the progress of this project and the impact our funding is having to increase skills and career opportunities within Worksop and North Nottinghamshire.
“This transformational regeneration scheme will provide a range of opportunities for learners who might never have considered Higher or Further Education, helping to address skills shortages and meet new and emerging needs within the local community.”
Details on how to apply for all of the courses provided by the RNN Group at ‘The Bridge’ can be found at https://www.nnc.ac.uk/higher-education/how-to-apply/ or by emailing [email protected]
To make enquiries about booking space or becoming an education or training provider at The Bridge, please contact Julie Beresford, Economic Development Manager at Bassetlaw District Council on 01909 533 223 or email [email protected]
Photo captions (left to right):
Skills Hub10 – Cllr Simon Greaves, Leader of Bassetlaw District Council; Jason Austin, CEO and Principal of RNN Group; Tracey Mace-Akroyd, Deputy CEO and Principal of RNN Group; Cllr Jo White, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Deputy Leader of Bassetlaw District Council.
Skills Hub8 - Jason Austin, CEO and Principal of RNN Group and Cllr Jo White, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Deputy Leader of Bassetlaw District Council.
