NSCG
Further education college group with campuses in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Leek and Stafford, designated in April 2026 as one of four national Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence Colleges in England.
- CEO / Founder
- Craig Hodgson
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- $13.3M
- Latest Round
- Grant
- Key Investors
- Department for Education (UK)
Technology & Products
Key Products
A Levels, T Levels, vocational and apprenticeship programmes, higher education; planned GBP 10M Advanced Manufacturing Hub in Stafford (operational 2028/29); leads the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology
Technical position · AMPulse analysis
Co-location with the Institute of Technology on Castle Street, Stafford; shared regional resources with industry partners; currently supports 1,150 learners on advanced manufacturing programmes.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Employer-led technical education and apprenticeships aligned to regional advanced manufacturing needs, including additive manufacturing (3D printing), automation and robotics, Industry 4.0 and low-carbon manufacturing.
How They Differentiate
Designated national advanced manufacturing TEC bridging West Midlands and North West manufacturing corridors, with strong employer backing.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
School leavers, adult learners and apprentices; regional manufacturing employers and partner colleges
Industry Verticals
Advanced manufacturing, engineering, automation and robotics, clean energy, digital
Competitors
South Staffordshire College; other Technical Excellence Colleges in England; regional further education colleges
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
1,150 learners on advanced manufacturing programmes; partners with 240 advanced manufacturing employers; separate GBP 6.8M DfE funding for Newcastle campus expansion
Major Milestones
November 2016: formed by merger of Newcastle-under-Lyme College and Stafford College; April 2026: named one of four Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence Colleges; Ofsted Outstanding retained; Advanced Manufacturing Hub due 2028/29; Shelley Brown to succeed Craig Hodgson as Principal on 1 January 2027
Recent coverage of NSCG
Funding rounds
- GrantGBP 10M2026-04Lead: Department for Education · Source