Vision, Strategy and Intent

What are we striving for?
As the region’s leading college, we will attract and invest in the development of the most talented teaching professionals, to offer an exceptional learner experience which all colleagues, students and our communities are proud to recommend.

Why?
In a period of remarkable change, the region’s young people and adults deserve, need and expect the highest quality learning experience and a curriculum to launch their future careers.

What are we striving for?
An innovative and aligned curriculum informed by knowledge transfer from industry, which rises to the region’s skills challenges and produces students ready for the workplace who can respond to the jobs of the future.

Why?
Retraining, upskilling and delivering high level skills will dominate local and national priorities if the Northern and UK economies are to rebound from economic shock. Carlisle College has a dual mandate: meeting future specialist skills demand, and warding against unemployment within our region.

What are we striving for?
Carlisle College will be the region’s go-to place for workforce planning.

Why?
Hand in hand with economic recovery, apprenticeships launch well-paid, meaningful careers. Significant skills gaps within Cumbria are likely to be compounded by the UK’s departure from the EU, especially in higher, technical and specialist skill areas, whilst measures arising from the pandemic threaten historic unemployment

What are we striving for?
Leveraging the power of NCG’s Taught Degree Awarding Powers to create niche specialisms which drive higher-level skills for the region, we will become the provider of choice for higher vocational, technical and professional education in Cumbria.

Why?
Cumbria has one of the lowest rates of degree-qualified residents of the UK; located in the regional population centre, in collaboration with partners, with our unique degree awarding powers we can create progression escalators across all of our specialisms from entry level to degree and beyond.

What are we striving for?
Technology will augment and strengthen all aspects of the learning experience at Carlisle College. Implementing our Digital Strategy, learners will access their programmes using technology wherever it adds value, but acquire skills, confidence and know-how to harness it for life and work.

Why?
Unprecedented change has accelerated digital transformation, and in a region requiring higher levels of skill, and an awareness of the critical importance of inclusive digital growth, our learners require the tools and the skills to thrive in future economies. 

What are we striving for?
To deliver exceptional education, Carlisle College has a dedicated team of creative professionals, many of whom are dual professionals with industry and teaching backgrounds.

Why?
Colleagues are aspiring, ambitious and inspiring leaders of the future, with the highest expectations and standards, striving for excellence.

What are we striving for?
Carlisle College is a dynamic nucleus for our city, shaping the skills agenda for our region, bringing social mobility for Cumbrian residents and contributing to civic engagement and societal transformation.

Why?
Carlisle is set to benefit from a number of developments in the coming years, which will add to its population, generate a greater need for services, encourage investment and position Carlisle as the regional and economic capital of the Borderlands. In a changing and uncertain world, the College plays a critical role in preparing local people to meet the demands that change will bring. 

What are we striving for?
Generating healthy surpluses to reinvest for the best possible learning experience.

Why?
Creating an exceptional, inspiring learning environment needs continual investment. In a changing and challenging world, we will need to maintain and improve financial resilience and sustainability through income growth and diversification, effective and efficient planning, responsiveness and prioritisation.