NRC sets its 'sites' on 2016

It is unveiling proposals for a new strategic development which includes new purpose-built accommodation and upgraded services for students.

The eleven-campus college which currently accommodates 20,000 full and part-time students also proposes to enhance its currently close links with industry providing employee training, manufacturing consultancy and increased opportunities for Apprentices.

NRC Director Trevor Neilands says the college is poised to play a greater role in the Northern Ireland economy than ever before.

“By 2016 we propose to have purpose-built accommodation and upgraded services to support our learners, with the stability we require to grow the excellent relations we currently enjoy with the education, business and community sectors,” says Mr Neilands.

NRC employs over 1000 staff and is due to open a new 10m campus in Newtownabbey later this summer and further proposals are in place to upgrade other centres by 2016.

The business improvement plan which maps out the college’s proposed developments until 2016, will also address the estates infrastructure within the college which have been in decline over the years. NRC Director Trevor Neilands says the proposed five year plan seeks to secure and stabilise the college in the coming years.

“We have witnessed the decline of campuses right across the sector over the past few years and we now face the opportunity to focus on building a secure future for NRC,” says Mr Neilands.

“In order to communicate our proposals we are embarking on a consultation exercise to give all our students, parents, business partners, suppliers and schools the opportunity to have their say in how we shape the future NRC,” he says.

NRC has enviable links with some of the best known businesses in the world. Its engagement with Michelin, Ryobi, Schrader, Schlumberger and many other blue chip manufacturers goes much further than the provision of apprenticeships.

For instance, NRC lecturers are frequently in demand for their intellectual and engineering know-how and go on-site to help resolve operational issues. They also provide high-quality bespoke training courses on-site for employees helping the competitiveness of their companies.

“We have a huge legacy of excellence and our future will focus primarily on continuing and ever-improving the quality of education of our students and the maintenance and development of our close relationships with employers,” says Mr Neilands.

A travelling exhibition displaying facts about the NRC proposals will tour the college’s home sites allowing local people the opportunity to provide their thoughts and feedback. The exhibition will be staffed by NRC senior personnel who will be on hand to answer any questions.

Dates and locations of the exhibitions will be advertised in the local press and on the college website www.nrc.ac.uk and are expected to take place by the end of June 2010. A copy of the Consultation Document is available to download from the college website.