Inside North Hertfordshire College’s New Town Centre Campus

Industry leaders, employers, educators, learners and partners recently came together to celebrate the official opening of North Hertfordshire College's new skills campus, marking a significant investment in technical education and workforce development across the region.

Home to a range of vocational programmes including bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry and motor vehicle studies, the purpose-built campus has been designed to give learners access to industry-standard facilities and hands-on training. For the automotive sector, the development represents an important step in supporting the next generation of technicians and future talent.

A New Home for Automotive Excellence

The afternoon brought together representatives from across education, local government and industry to officially open the purpose-built facility.

Guests were welcomed by Kit Davies, Principal and CEO of North Hertfordshire College, who outlined the college's vision for equipping learners with the practical skills required for an evolving landscape. This was followed by remarks from Cllr Richard Henry, Leader of Stevenage Borough Council (SBC), and Adrian Hawkins, Chair of the Stevenage Development Board, who highlighted the importance of investing in local skills, talent and economic growth.

Following the speeches and official photographs, attendees had the opportunity to network with fellow guests before breaking into smaller groups for guided tours of the new facilities. The tours provided a chance for visitors to explore the workshops and see first-hand the technologies and equipment that students will use throughout their training.

Nadia Hodges, Director of Curriculum and the Director of Maths and English noted:

"We couldn’t do this without our partnership with SBC. Working together enables us to prepare students for the future of the automotive industry, with a focus on sustainability, emerging energy technologies and greener alternatives. As the sector moves towards electrification, it’s vital that we equip learners with the skills and knowledge needed to support the transition to more sustainable vehicles and technologies."

Celebrating Automotive Skills in Action

While the campus supports a variety of technical disciplines, the motor vehicle facilities were a particular highlight during the tours, showcasing the college's commitment to automotive education.

Visitors were given an insight into the college's motor vehicle provision through practical demonstrations and learner showcases. Students and teaching staff demonstrated the specialist equipment, workshop spaces and training environments that form the foundation of the college's automotive programmes.

From vehicle maintenance and diagnostics to emerging vehicle technologies, the facilities have been designed to mirror real workplace environments and help learners build the skills required for successful careers in the automotive sector.

Creating Opportunities for Learners

At the heart of the new campus is a commitment to helping students build rewarding careers in the automotive sector.

Whether studying as a full-time learner or completing an apprenticeship, students will have access to industry-standard facilities and hands-on learning opportunities that reflect the realities of today's workplace.

Keith Turner, Deputy Principal for Quality, Curriculum and Inclusion commented:

"It’s critical that students develop the skills that local industries need. As a college in a central location, it’s pivotal to what we do to ensure our curriculum reflects the needs of the sectors around us, particularly as we support the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and the evolving skills required by the automotive industry.”

Guests attending the opening had the opportunity to hear directly from learners about their experiences, demonstrating the positive impact that high-quality technical education can have on future talent.

Supporting the Industry's Future Workforce

The opening of the new campus represents more than just a new educational facility. It is an investment in the future workforce that will help drive the automotive sector forward.

As an IMI Approved Centre, North Hertfordshire College delivers training that combines classroom-based learning with practical workshop experience and industry-focused projects. Learners can develop the technical knowledge, hands-on skills and professional behaviours needed to progress into full-time employment.

Training covers a broad range of topics, including vehicle maintenance and diagnostics, engine systems, suspension and braking systems, health and safety, and hybrid vehicle awareness. As the automotive industry continues its transition towards new technologies and more sustainable mobility solutions, these skills will become increasingly important for the next generation of technicians.

Driving Careers Through Industry Experience

A key strength of North Hertfordshire College's motor vehicle programmes is the emphasis placed on real-world industry experience.

With thousands of new opportunities emerging to support the growth of electric and hybrid vehicles, students are encouraged to build practical experience alongside their studies. Through partnerships with employers, learners can access placements across a wide variety of settings, including national dealership networks, independent garages, specialist maintenance providers and emergency service fleets.

These experiences enable students to apply their learning in professional environments, develop workplace confidence and build industry connections that can support their progression into employment.

“At NHC, our priority is to ensure that every student, from Level 1 through to apprenticeships, develops the skills and knowledge they need to become more employable in the automotive industry. By embedding TechSafe and EV charging qualifications into our curriculum, we’re equipping learners with the expertise needed to meet the sector’s evolving demands. Using industry-standard equipment and resources ensures our students are well prepared to transition into the workplace and meet the expectations of employers.”

Sam Sharpe, Head of Construction and Motor Vehicle, NHC

As an IMI Approved Centre, North Hertfordshire College is uniquely positioned to help learners develop the knowledge, skills and confidence required to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven automotive sector.

The opening of the new skills campus marks an exciting new chapter for North Hertfordshire College, its learners and the industries it serves. By investing in modern facilities and employer-led training, the college is helping to create a pipeline of skilled talent ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future automotive workforce.

Find out more about becoming an IMI Approved Centre.