History

The Manchester College was created in August 2008, following the merger of Manchester College of Arts and Technology (MANCAT) and City College Manchester.

In recognition that Manchester is a major economic force and a significant provider of education, the new college will provide excellence in education and training, working with other providers at school, college and university level. It will draw its learners from the widest range of groups, including learners locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. It will provide a high quality, flexible service for employers.

The merger process

The merger followed a process of consultation which began in May 2006 when Adrian Perry, Visiting Senior Fellow at the University of Sheffield, carried out a review of post-16 further education provision in Manchester on behalf of the Learning and Skills Council Greater Manchester (LSCGM). The main objectives of the review were to

• improve curriculum and geographical coherence
• support partnership arrangements
• recommend the most effective governance and management structure for the city

The review was overseen by a Joint Working Group comprised of representatives from the local authority, the colleges and LSCGM. A wide range of stakeholders were interviewed for the review.

The resulting report included an overview of the current situation in the city of Manchester, with socio-economic information used to illustrate the background and needs of the local communities and employers. It also covered information on the existing make-up of post-16 education and training and levels of collaboration, as well as information on local and national educational strategies.

Within the report, Adrian Perry presented LSCGM with

• a summary of current patterns of delivery of post-16 provision in Manchester
• options for future delivery patterns, taking account of the needs of young people, employers and the community in the context of local, regional and national priorities
• recommendations on how the options might be implemented and risks associated with them
• a final recommendation of a preferred option for consideration by the LSC and its strategic partners

The strong feeling of the Joint Working Group was that bringing the two colleges together would provide the best way forward for the learners and employers of Manchester.

Consultation

Between 22nd June 2007 and 27th July 2007, the LSCGM undertook a public consultation to gather the views of stakeholders, staff, students and the public on the proposed creation of a single institution for the city of Manchester.