Carlisle College secures Further Education provision from University of Cumbria Brampton Road

Over the past few months the University of Cumbria has been working in partnership with the Skills Funding Agency, the Young People’s Learning Agency and Cumbria County Council to identify a partner to take over the delivery of Further Education provision in August 2011.

Partners have been working together to ensure swift progress and the Skills Funding Agency have today confirmed that Further Education provision at the University of Cumbria Brampton Road campus will transfer to Carlisle College. The Skills Funding Agency continue to work with bidders for Newton Rigg. A decision is expected in early February.

Staff at both Brampton Road and Carlisle College have been informed of the decision.

Both Carlisle College and University of Cumbria consider the transition for staff and students to be of paramount importance. Carlisle College is committed to engaging with University of Cumbria staff and students with immediate effect.

The University of Cumbria will be setting up a transition project group to manage the process in partnership with the Trade Unions. In order to facilitate a seamless and effective transition the University will continue business as usual at this time.

Principal Moira Tattersall said:
“I am delighted with the news regarding the decision on Brampton Road. We are committed to working with partners to ensure a seamless transition to the College. I am very much looking forward to meeting our new colleagues.”

Statement from Skills Funding Agency:
“Carlisle College has been awarded, following a successful open and competitive process, the contract to deliver the FE education provision currently delivered by the University of Cumbria at their Brampton Road campus.”

“The competitive process to secure a future provider for the education provision at the University of Cumbria’s Newton Rigg campus has resulted in two high quality and credible proposals from the FE sector. We are now working with the preferred bidder on securing certainty on income and costs to ensure that the proposal is financially and educationally viable. This will take some weeks before we can ensure that the selected provider’s plan will ensure a sustainable and successful future for education provision at the Newton Rigg campus.  We expect to conclude the process by Spring 2011."

Negotiations will now commence between Carlisle College and University of Cumbria Brampton Road. These negotiations will include the finer detail involved in the transfer of staff and students to Carlisle College.