Newton Rigg Ltd ‘’ready to hit the ground running” land-based training provider
As Cumbrians continue to call on government to protect Newton Rigg for educational use, Newton Rigg Ltd’s action plan to rebuild land-based education with training and apprenticeships is pushing forward with widespread community support.
Newton Rigg Ltd is finalising plans to launch ‘Newton Rigg Training’ as an industry-led training provider and begin offering training courses later this year, and apprenticeships in 2022, followed by the incorporation of a new Newton Rigg College for 2025.
Driving plans for Newton Rigg Training are NRL Director Andrew Counsel (former principal of Duchy College Cornwall, 10-year Vice Chair of Landex, and a member of the IFA Route panel for land-based) and Dr Jane Sullivan, an educational consultant and former Director of Newton Rigg College who knows the college, and understands the issues that have affected it over the years,
“Most people probably don’t know how much work went in to Newton Rigg Ltd’s bid to the Further Education Commissioner, which set out an important community-backed vision for land-based education in Cumbria, or how much work is being done ‘on the ground’ right now to develop Newton Rigg Training.” said Dr Sullivan.
“We want people to know that while the fight over Newton Rigg’s assets continues, there is a huge about of work going on in the background to rebuild training opportunities in land-based education and establish ourselves as the safe pair of hands ready to take land-based education forward, and there is still hope that we can do this at Newton Rigg”
“Newton Rigg Training will be a not-for-profit training organisation that has at its very heart, the needs of Cumbrian businesses, employers and the future workforce. We are in the midst of developing our curriculum and securing a talented staffing team to deliver it to the highest standards. The road ahead is challenging, but we are confident that with enough investment to get started we can commence plugging the education and training gaps that have been left in our county by Newton Rigg campus’ closure.
Newton Rigg Ltd’s training plans are partly driven by collaboration with local organisations and businesses supporting the cause.
Adam Day, Managing Director of the Farmer Network, said,
“In future Cumbria's farmers will be required to increase food production and manage the natural environment to the highest level. It is a great challenge which will be enhanced by the right learning and development. The Farmer Network will be working with Newton Rigg Ltd and others to ensure that as much support as possible can be given to farmers of all ages in order to achieve these public benefits.”
“All we need is to raise enough funds to employ our first staff and we’ll be running our first land-based training courses in Cumbria this September”
Newton Rigg Ltd is relying on the support of local donors and businesses who are backing the cause, and have launched a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign so that members of the public can also contribute.
Chris Crewdson, Newton Rigg Ltd Deputy Chairman and former MD of Gilkes, Kendal, is liaising with businesses large and small, as well as individuals who are keen to support the effort.
“All we need is to raise enough funds to employ our first staff, and Newton Rigg Training will begin offering courses this September. After that we will be generating income and become eligible for funding.
“Of course, we along with many stakeholders are continuing to pressure Government to ensure that Newton Rigg will remain in educational use and as such will be at the heart of our plans, and we assure you that fight is not over, but we’re not hanging about when there are young people in Cumbria worrying about their futures. We’re ready to hit the ground running.”
“The support for Newton Rigg Ltd from the local community has been incredible. The fact that such respected and experienced businesses as Westmorland Ltd and Carrs Group have contributed to our campaign so far is testament to Cumbria’s determination to fix this mess and look after our future generations. We encourage everyone to chip in so that we can kick-start this absolutely vital training organisation for our rural communities and young people, and hit the ground running this September.”
