NCG's Chief Executive Liz Bromley joined the Secretary of State for Education, regional mayors, business leaders and education experts at a flagship government summit to help shape the future of technical and vocational education in England, following an invitation to share her expertise and insights on education reform.
Liz was invited to speak at the inaugural No10 North Rewiring Education summit in Manchester, hosted by Secretary of State for Education Lucy Powell. The event brought together influential voices from across education, industry and local government, including Minister for School Standards Georgia Gould, Director General for Skills Sinead O'Sullivan and Director General for Schools Julia Kinniburgh, to contribute to the Government's plans for education reform.
Liz was one of a small number of education leaders invited to address the summit, reflecting NCG's unique perspective as the UK's only national college group and its significant contribution to education and skills development across England.
The event focused on key areas of the government's reform agenda, including technical education and training from age 14, work experience, youth employment and the devolution of post-16 education and skills funding.
Addressing delegates, Liz spoke about the importance of ensuring reforms are informed by both local need and national priorities. Serving communities across the North East, North West, Midlands and London, NCG offers a unique perspective on how education policy can support local economic growth while delivering national priorities.
With more than 30,000 learners (including over13,000 16 to 19-year-olds) studying across its colleges and Higher Education Centre, NCG brings a distinct perspective to discussions on education and skills policy. Operating in both devolved and non-devolved areas across England, the group combines local knowledge with experience of working across multiple regions, labour markets and funding environments.
This local insight is supported by NCG's place-based governance model, with Local College Boards bringing together employers, civic leaders, community representatives and education partners to help ensure each college responds to local priorities and economic needs. This approach enables each college to respond to the needs of its local community while benefiting from the strength and scale of a national group.
Highlighting the need for a more employer-informed education system that places technical and academic learning on an equal footing, Liz spoke about the importance of strong employer partnerships, meaningful careers education and developing the wider skills, behaviours and confidence that help young people succeed in the workplace.
She also spoke about the importance of helping all young people to develop resilience, confidence and readiness for the realities of work and adult life.
Liz Bromley, Chief Executive of NCG, said: "It was a privilege to be invited to contribute to this important national discussion and to share NCG's experiences of supporting learners, employers and communities across the country.
"As the UK's only national college group, we are uniquely placed to bring both a local and national perspective to conversations about the future of education and skills. Working across very different communities and labour markets, we see first-hand the importance of aligning education with local economic priorities while ensuring every learner has access to high-quality opportunities.
"We welcome the commitment to strengthening technical education, building stronger connections between education and employers, and ensuring technical and academic pathways are valued equally.
"We are delighted that this Government recognises that every young person deserves a clear route into employment, further learning and a successful future, regardless of where they live or the challenges they have faced. Colleges have a critical role to play in helping young people develop the skills, confidence and experiences they need to succeed, and we are proud that NCG's expertise and experience are helping to inform these important reforms and support the development of an education system that works for learners, employers and communities alike."
The No10 North summit marks an important step in the government's plans to strengthen technical education and improve pathways into employment. NCG will continue to work with policymakers, employers and partners across the country to ensure reforms are informed by the experiences of learners, communities and the businesses they serve.