NCG is delighted to announce that City & Guilds, a global leader in skills development, has signed up to sponsor its unique student enrichment initiative, the NCG Guarantee.

This exciting partnership underscores a shared commitment to providing students with a range of additional opportunities for personal and professional growth. The NCG Guarantee is a distinctive pledge that sets NCG colleges apart, offering a unique, student-centred approach that goes beyond traditional education and is built on five core areas:

  • Employability
  • Community
  • Enterprise
  • Mental Fitness
  • Digital

Students’ achievements in these areas are recognised through the awarding of badges, which validate the practical and personal skills students develop during their time at one of NCG’s seven colleges. The badges enhance students' employability and help them stand out in the competitive job market.

Learners are given a range of opportunities to work towards their badges and are awarded a badge when they have participated in meaningful activities that have helped them develop their skills in this area.

In practice, this could look like students volunteering at a local charity, fundraising or volunteering to gain their community badge, or completing a programme of online modules including coding and online safety to gain a digital badge.

As part of the NCG Guarantee, the highly successful public speaking sessions delivered in partnership with Loud Speaker return to all NCG colleges this term. These workshops build students' confidence, help them articulate their ideas, present with authority, and thrive in various social and professional settings. Last year, over 11,000 students benefited from these sessions, and the initiative aims to empower even more learners this year.  John Beck and Lianne Marston of City & Guilds attended the first of this year's sessions at Newcastle Sixth Form College last week (pictured above).

City & Guilds’ support of the NCG Guarantee adds further value by bringing additional resources, expertise, and recognition. With a legacy of over 140 years, City & Guilds is renowned for its dedication to developing qualifications that are globally recognised and highly valued by employers. Their involvement highlights the quality of the NCG Guarantee and reinforces the importance of equipping students with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in today's competitive job market.

Andy Moss, Chief Customer Officer of City & Guilds, commented: “At City & Guilds, we believe in creating opportunities for everyone, and the NCG Guarantee reflects our shared vision of providing high-quality education and training that empowers learners to succeed in their careers and beyond. We are incredibly proud to support a commitment that aligns with our mission to unlock potential and promote lifelong learning, not only investing in the future of learners but also in the future of industries and communities across the UK.”

Liz Bromley, CEO of NCG, commented: "The City & Guilds' partnership is a testament to the impact and value of the NCG Guarantee. Their support adds significant credibility to our initiative and allows us to continue to offer unique opportunities to empower thousands of students across our colleges, and we are extremely grateful for their support.

“The Loud Speaker sessions, which are just one element of the NCG Guarantee, were extremely well received last year by students and we are delighted to welcome City & Guilds in attendance at some of these sessions this year.”