The Corporations of the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) and the Capital City College Group (CCCG) are excited to announce initial plans for CONEL to join the CCCG, with a target date of 1 November 2017. Both Corporations have agreed to go ahead with public consultation on the plan.

Capital City College Group was formed last year with a membership comprising City and Islington College, Westminster Kingsway College and Capital City College Training.  It is the third largest FE organisation in the UK.

The Group’s members are recognised across the full range of services provided by further education and have nationally renowned specialisms in Applied Sciences, Hospitality and Catering, as well as one of the largest Apprenticeship programme of any college in London.

CONEL, with Centres in Enfield and Tottenham, is a leading provider of Engineering and Construction courses, with particular specialism in Rail Engineering. Between them the colleges boast world-class facilities and learning spaces; a wide range of high quality courses; and fantastic staff.

The expanded Group will build on each college’s strengths whilst seeking to significantly enhance education and training opportunities for students and employers.

The excellent transport links will enable the Group to create an integrated, comprehensive offer of technical and professional education accessible to residents and business across London and beyond, particularly along the Lea Valley and Cambridge/Stansted corridor.

The Capital City College Group will continue to support the three colleges in maintaining their existing, unique brands and identities.  A central team will provide back office services to the Group and manage strategic planning and partnerships.

The individual colleges will continue to recruit students across 14-19, basic skills, apprenticeships, professional & technical and higher education programmes, as well as serving their local, regional and business communities.

City & Islington, CONEL and Westminster Kingsway have been three of London’s most successful colleges over recent years. Each have retained OfSTED Good grades, established considerable employer and community networks, achieved financial surpluses and invested heavily in superb facilities.

Based on 2015-16 figures, between them, the three colleges will have nearly 40,000 students, of whom nearly 10,000 will be aged 16-19, along with 3,500 apprentices, and a combined annual income of over £112 million.

Alastair Da Costa, Chair of Governors at CCCG said, “CONEL joining the existing partners in CCCG is a bold and strategic move. It has real potential to significantly increase our impact and leverage further benefits for the communities and businesses we serve.”

Keith Brown, Chair of Governors at CONEL said “The FE sector will be the focus for many changes over the next years to meet this country’s skills challenges.  The newly expanded Group will put as at the forefront in responding to the opportunities these changes will provide.”

Andy Wilson, Chief Executive of CCCG said, “I am excited that CONEL want to join the existing CCCG colleges in creating a new type of further education college group which will provide innovative training for the residents and businesses of London. Expanding the Group in this way will enable us to provide a comprehensive educational offer to our local communities but also across London and beyond.”

Andy Forbes, Principal of CONEL, said “Our aim in coming together in this way is to play a key role in the emerging Skills for Londoners’ agenda by providing top quality specialist Technical and Professional education right up to degree level, whilst continuing to serve our local communities.”