Deputy Mayor of CPCA, Cllr Anna Smith, visits Peterborough College during Colleges Week 2024

Peterborough College proudly welcomed Deputy Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA), Cllr Anna Smith, today as part of the celebrations for #CollegesWeek2024.

The visit, which took place during the Association of Colleges’ Colleges Week, marked an important opportunity to showcase the pivotal role of Inspire Education Group (IEG) in shaping the local community and the direct correlation between quality education and economic prosperity.

Cllr Anna Smith toured key areas of the College and heard about the group’s innovative developments and forward-thinking approach to teaching and learning, such as the recent Google Reference status the group has received from Google for its use, development and deployment of technology in the classroom. Cllr Smith also visited one of our T Level subject areas, where qualifications are designed in collaboration with leading local employers to pioneer change in our further education provision, before ending her visit with an exclusive on-site tour around the site of our exciting new Centre for Green Technology.

The forthcoming Centre for Green Technology is poised to become a hub for green skills training, encompassing vital areas such as decarbonisation, electric vehicle (EV) technologies, and Retrofit. This initiative ensures that students are adept in both conventional methodologies and cutting-edge technological advancements, aligning perfectly with the evolving demands of the job market.

The realisation of the Green Centre for Technology has been made possible through collaborative funding efforts. The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority has allocated £2.471 million via the Transforming Cities Fund, supplemented by £400,000 from the Local Growth Fund. Furthermore, Peterborough City Council has contributed a £1.9 million package through the Towns Fund.

The visit by Deputy Mayor Anna Smith during Colleges Week signifies a significant shared commitment between educators and the Combined Authority to enhance education opportunities locally, ensuring it continues to respond to the evolving needs of industry; and for the benefit of economic growth across the region.

Cllr Anna Smith said: “I was delighted to visit Peterborough College this week, to see their innovative work on teaching and learning, see the fantastic progress on the Centre for Green Technology, and speak with the College’s team about the issues that are important to them.

“Colleges are a vital part of our education and skills system, and it was a real pleasure to be part of celebrating the work of our colleges as part of Colleges Week.”