Monday 17 November 2025
A major new partnership bringing together the University of Northampton, Moulton College and Northampton College has been launched to deliver a bold new skills strategy for the county.
Futureskills Northamptonshire formalises a shared commitment by the three leading education providers to work as a partnership to develop a skilled, agile and inclusive workforce capable of driving sustainable growth and innovation across the region.
The partnership follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the institutions, marking the start of a new era in skills collaboration for Northamptonshire.
Futureskills Northamptonshire will coordinate education and training provision across all levels – from entry to degree and postgraduate study – aligning it with real-time employer needs in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy, construction, health, digital and logistics.
It will also focus on expanding opportunities for adults to retrain and upskill, strengthening workforce resilience and supporting the Northamptonshire’s economic priorities.
Professor Anne-Marie Kilday, Vice Chancellor and CEO of University of Northampton, said: “Futureskills Northamptonshire not only means local people will have easy access to a wider range of high-quality education at every stage of their lives, but it will also help us power the region’s economy by matching that education to the needs of employers across a range of sectors where there are gaps in the local workforce.
“This new way of working, more closely and collaboratively with the county’s colleges, shows how Northamptonshire is leading the way responding to the needs of learners and business alike.”
Oliver Symons, Principal and CEO of Moulton College, added: “Futureskills Northamptonshire will bring together our shared expertise in technical and vocational education with the research and innovation strengths of the University.
Together, we will build a truly joined-up approach to skills development that connects education with industry, supports individual aspirations and helps employers recruit and retain the skilled people they need.
Jason Lancaster, Principal and CEO of Northampton College, said: “Northamptonshire has an incredible opportunity to lead the way in how we prepare people for the jobs of tomorrow. This partnership ensures we’re not working in isolation but as a united network – creating clear pathways from school to college, university and beyond, and giving learners the confidence and skills to thrive in high-growth sectors.
“Engagement in training and skills equips people to be much more active and engaged members of the community and Northamptonshire is a community of extremely talented people. Through this partnership, we want to unleash that talent by building their skills and expertise. By doing this, we will equip local and regional employers with the excellent workforce they need for their continued success both now and in the future and we will create an attractive talent pool to help bring new employers and industries into our county.”
A Tripartite Skills Board will oversee delivery of the strategy, ensuring alignment with local, regional and national priorities – including the Local Skills Improvement Plan, the East Midlands Combined County Authority growth agenda and the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
The partnership was formally launched on Monday, 17 November at an event held at Northampton College, chaired by Labour MP Mike Reader.
By 2027, the partnership aims to increase the number of learners progressing between institutions, grow employer-designed courses, and establish Northamptonshire as a model for cross-institutional collaboration in skills planning.
This partnership ensures we’re not working in isolation but as a united network – creating clear pathways from school to college, university and beyond, and giving learners the confidence and skills to thrive in high-growth sectors.
Find out more about Futureskills Northamptonshire in our strategy paper
Professor Anne-Marie. Jason Lancaster and Oliver Symons discussing Futureskills Northamptonshire with Mike Reader MP
Oliver Symons (Principal & CEO of Moulton College), Professor Anne-Marie Kilday (Vice Chancellor and CEO of University Northampton) and Jason Lancaster (Principal and CEO of Northampton College) signing the Memorandum of Understanding
Oliver Symons (Principal & CEO of Moulton College), Professor Anne-Marie Kilday (Vice Chancellor and CEO of University Northampton) and Jason Lancaster (Principal and CEO of Northampton College) standing outside Northampton College
Photography: Kelly Cooper
