Three of a kind! Further education colleges merge to form ‘ambitious’ South Hampshire College Group

Further education is entering a new era in Hampshire as City College Southampton, Eastleigh College and Fareham College come together under the newly formed South Hampshire College Group (SHCG).

With the group’s first term set to start this September, students are promised a boost to both the quantity and quality of available courses, broadening the supply of both professional and technical skills to the local economy.

Andrew Kaye, who is set to head the SHCG as its new CEO, said: “This merger has created a single, financially strong, responsive and ambitious further education organisation to serve the education and training needs of South Hampshire.

“It’s an exciting new start and will bring many benefits to our students and staff, businesses and local communities.

“Our ambition is to create a new and vibrant college, better able to meet the economic and social mobility challenges that the region faces.”

The merger was finalised this week off the back of positive feedback from students, parents, staff and local employers, as well as a recommendation from the Department for Education back in May.

Sandra Prail, Chair of the newly formed Board of Governors, said: “We’re tremendously excited to be at the helm of the new SHCG, and our Board members look forward to contributing their expertise and skills from many industry sectors into the new venture.

“I’m positive the students will flourish, grow in confidence and ultimately make a real tangible contribution to the local workforce and economy with their skill sets.”

Geraint Davies, former Chair of Governors at City College Southampton, added: “The merger will create a college for the future and we’re proud to have a place in it.

“SHCG will provide centres of excellence, with a concentration of talent on each of the campuses.

“We’re looking forward to the future.”

From left: Caroline Pover, DfE Project Lead; Sandra Prail, Chair of SHCG; Andrew Kaye, CEO of SHCG; Nigel Duncan and Steve Hutchinson, FEC Commissioners