Partnership launched to boost creative sector skills

South Essex College is pleased to announce a formal partnership with National College Creative Industries and Access Creative College. Effective from 1 February, National College Creative Industries Ltd has launched a joint venture partnership to build on what has been achieved so far, grow its capacity and accelerate its national vision. 

This exciting new partnership, under the NCCI brand, will support the Government’s national colleges policy, and follows a formal consultation process involving staff from all three organisations, as well as stakeholders and external partners. 

Angela O’Donoghue, Principal and Chief Executive of South Essex College said the partnership will allow the College to more efficiently meet the skill needs of the creative industries across the thriving Thames Gateway, and beyond.

She said: “With the creative industries sector employing over two million people in the UK and with projected growth of one million people in the next decade we are looking forward to working with NCCI Ltd to increase and enhance our creative industries provision.

“The move will expand South Essex College’s presence in Purfleet, where we have been running a costume construction degree programme since 2015, in collaboration with the Royal Opera House, at the High House Production Park and where we will take over the ownership and management of The Backstage Centre.”

John Taylor, Managing Director of Access Creative College said: “We’re recognised as the leading national provider of education and skills provision for creative disciplines – from music, events, games design, music technology, music business and artist development – and this partnership will work hard to deliver great opportunities to employers and apprentices across the wider cultural and creative industries. We are passionate advocates for the sector – its contribution to the UK skills base and economy is growing significantly and we are proud to be an important part of supporting employers and apprentices across the country.”

Bryan Raven, Managing Director of White Light Ltd, and Board Member of NCCI Ltd said “NCCI Ltd is delighted to be launching this new venture with South Essex College and Access Creative College today, both of whom have excellent credentials within the creative industries sector and can help us achieve our vision on a local, regional and national level”.

For more information visit www.creativeindustries.ac.uk or www.southessex.ac.uk or www.accesscreative.ac.uk  

 

 

NCCI Ltd Partnership Launched to Boost Creative Sector Skills - your questions answered

Why these partners?
South Essex College (SEC) is a highly successful regional provider of Further and Higher Education and has a long-standing relationship with High House Production Park in Purfleet where it currently delivers Higher Education courses in partnership with Royal Opera House. South Essex College will provide full-time technical and professional education on behalf of the National College Creative Industries.

Access Creative College (ACC) is a highly successful independent provider with seven campuses around the country, and a strong track record of delivering training for the creative industries. ACC will be the delivery partner for all apprenticeships on behalf of the National College Creative Industries.

South Essex College will be responsible for running the centre at Purfleet and will inherit the 24 students on study programmes in backstage production. The staff employed who run the centre and teach the students, of which there are eight in total, will remain employed within The Backstage Centre company and not transferred to the employment for SEC.

The apprenticeship provision and associated eight staff will transfer under TUPE legislation to national independent training organisation, Access Creative College.

What about students who are part-way through their courses?
Students of NCCI who have not completed their courses on the date that the new partnership forms will be able to continue their courses of study as planned and have the opportunity to progress to another NCCI course at The Backstage Centre, within South Essex College, on to another Higher Education institution, or to an apprenticeship or employment.

What about apprentices who are part-way through their programme?
Apprentices of NCCI who have not completed their apprenticeship on the date that the new partnership forms will be able to continue their programme as planned, with their apprenticeship transferred* to Access Creative College, under the day-to-day management of the NCCI apprenticeship team. *This transfer needs to be agreed and approved by your employer.

Who should employers contact with apprenticeship training enquiries?
The existing apprenticeship team is transferring to Access Creative College, so you can continue to contact individuals you are already in touch with in the usual way. Employers with new enquiries can send apprenticeship enquiries via the NCCI Ltd website (www.creativeindustries.ac.uk), via email to apprentices@creativeindustries.ac.uk, or can visit www.accesscreative.ac.uk.

Who will I/my child receive their qualification from?
Your qualification will remain the same and certificates will be progressed by South Essex College, or Access Creative College in the case of apprentices.

What happens with my parent/student login? (classroom-based learners)
Student systems aren’t being changed at the current time. If system changes are made, login details will remain the same so students won’t have to worry about new usernames or passwords.

What happens with apprentice OneFile logins?
Apprentice systems aren’t being changed at the current time. If system changes are planned in the future, apprentices will be advised and supported accordingly.

What happens about my staff email address? How do I contact my tutor?
Staff email addresses will be migrated and they will change to South Essex or Access Creative email addresses in the coming months. Emails sent to NCCI addresses (creativeindustries.ac.uk) will be redirected for the foreseeable future so please continue to use existing email addresses.

What is happening to the NCCI website?
The NCCI Ltd website will remain in operation. In addition, NCCI Ltd courses can be viewed on the South Essex College website. Apprenticeship and employer information can be viewed on the NCCI Ltd website and in addition on the Access Creative College website.

I am an NCCI student, will I still be on the same course? At the same location?
Yes everything remains the same for existing courses and apprenticeships until the start of the new academic year.

What is happening about the NCCI brand?
The NCCI brand will continue to be used to badge national college licensed provision under the umbrella brands of South Essex College or Access Creative College.

I want to go on a NCCI course in September, how will I know where I will be based?
Course information will be regularly updated on both the South Essex College and the NCCI Ltd websites. If you have a question about admissions please contact us on 0345 52 12345 or email admissions@southessex.ac.uk.

I want to find an apprenticeship in the creative industries at the end of my current course. What should I do?
An apprenticeship is a job which combines practical training and study. You can search and apply for apprenticeship vacancies on Find an Apprenticeship at www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship. Once you have registered, email and text alerts can be set up about new apprenticeship vacancies which may be of interest.

I have applied for an NCCI course to start in September, what does this mean?
The admissions process for both colleges will remain the same for now and any changes will be communicated in due course.