Principal’s Blog: Bridging the HE Gap
Bridging the HE Gap
In 2018, the RNN Group opened the University Centre Rotherham (UCR), a purpose-built Higher Education centre in the heart of Rotherham. UCR is dedicated to offering high-quality degrees and professional training qualifications and is the next step for many of our current students and for Adults who may wish to study higher-level qualifications.
The Bridge Skills Hub – Worksop
The Group have been delighted with the success of UCR and the achievements of our students who enjoy studying degree-level courses close to home with the added bonus of lower course fees, along with excellent employer links, a small friendly community and above all, courses accredited by top Universities. Building on this success, we have extended our offer into the North Notts area and have made Higher Education more accessible for the communities of Bassetlaw.
In February this year, the RNN Group became the first education provider to sign up to ‘The Bridge Skills Hub’, Bassetlaw Council’s flagship regeneration project supported by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership. This project aims to create further opportunities for the Bassetlaw community and the RNN Group started delivering courses at the Hub in early May.
The RNN Group offers a range of exciting Higher and Degree Apprenticeships and higher-level qualifications within the centre to allow people of the local and surrounding areas easier access to higher-level skills and training in addition to their already well-established further education offer at both the Worksop and Retford Campuses of North Notts College.
RNN’s current provision – as part of a phased opening of courses and expanding on what is offered at the North Notts College, Worksop and Retford Campuses – includes a Level 4 Lead Practitioner in Adult Care and Level 5 Leader in Adult Care. From September, we will be offering a Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies, a Foundation Degree in Professional Practice in Health and Social Care, Access to Higher Education (Health) Diploma Health Science Professional Level 3, Level 4 Diploma in Counselling and a Higher Apprenticeship Assistant Practitioner course.
This week, as part of the ‘What Next’ series of careers events run by Bassetlaw District Council, The Bridge Skills Hub is playing host to the first dedicated Higher Skills event delivered by Bassetlaw District Council and forms part of the delivery plan of the North Notts Skills and Employment Board. This inaugural event will be the start of a regular platform for schools, colleges, residents, employers, providers and stakeholders to engage with one another. It is important to ensure members of the local community including employers have robust information about the rapidly changing world of work and those skills needed in a changing economy.
The free event – which will operate on a drop-in basis from 3-7 pm – includes a ‘Pop Up Higher Education Marketplace,’– with information on both full-time and part-time pathways – links to industry, professional development as well as general advice on finance. There will be workshops and seminars (one of which we are presenting about our UCR and Bridge Skills Hub HE Offering), a tour of The Bridge Skills Hub, and finally the chance to speak with a range of local employers who offer HE training pathways.