Inspire Education Group (IEG) is celebrating five years since its formation in 2020 — not by simply looking back, but by recognising the transformation underway right now across its colleges, university centre and employer-facing provision.
Created through the merger of Peterborough Regional College, University Centre Peterborough, and New College Stamford, IEG has grown into a forward-thinking education group at the heart of Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Rutland.
Today, the Group delivers inspirational education from Level 1 to Level 7, supporting over 11,000 learners annually and working with more than 1,000 employers, while continuing to invest in the facilities, programmes and people shaping the region’s economic future.
Several nationally significant projects now demonstrate IEG’s leadership:
In May 2025, IEG officially unveiled its £13.5 million Centre for Green Technology (CGT) at Peterborough College. Designed in close consultation with industry, the Centre supports full-time students, apprentices, and adult learners — offering everything from entry-level trade qualifications to Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) and CPD for professionals. Learners benefit from hands-on experience with equipment provided by trusted industry partners, including Rolec EV, Worcester Bosch and Quantum.
From left to right: Sam Carling MP, David Pennell, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Andrew Pakes MP, Rachel Nicholls, Paul Bristow.
In 2023, the Modern Methods of Construction Centre, sponsored by Allison Homes, was opened at Stamford College, supporting learners in developing sustainable building skills, aligned with local skills plans and national priorities for greener infrastructure.
Allison Homes joined IEG at the launch of our Modern Methods of Construction Centre at Stamford College in 2023 - a partnership that continues to deliver real impact by equipping learners with the skills our region’s economy needs.
University Centre Peterborough was awarded Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Silver and is among the first providers nationally to deliver modular learning under the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) — improving access to higher-level skills for adults and career changers.
Achievement of a TEF Silver rating also aligns University Centre Peterborough with some of the best institutions in the country, including the world-class Russell Group universities, King's College London, University College London, Queen Mary University London and The University of Manchester.
Alongside this, IEG has been rated Ofsted Good, with Outstanding grades for high needs and adult education, reflecting its deep commitment to inclusion and lifelong learning. Its curriculum is closely aligned to local skills improvement plans (LSIPs), with new programmes in construction, health, engineering, digital and early years, all developed in collaboration with employers.
The Group's regional impact has also been recognised through recent awards, including Large Business of the Year at the Rutland and Stamford Mercury Business Awards and Training Provider of the Year at the Peterborough Telegraph Apprenticeship Awards.
Rachel Nicholls (left) with Angie Morris, celebrating IEG's Large Business of the Year win at the Rutland & Stamford Mercury Business Awards 2025.
Guiding these achievements is IEG’s Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Exceptional 2030 Strategy, launched in 2024. This ambitious plan sets out nine strategic priorities to ensure students gain the right skills, employers shape what’s taught, and every investment delivers meaningful impact.
Responding to the UK Government’s renewed focus on further education, IEG CEO Rachel Nicholls said:
“Colleges like IEG are ready to deliver, but our success depends on working hand-in-hand with employers, Chambers of Commerce, Mayoral Authorities, universities and community partners.
Together, with sustained funding and political support, we can give young people and adults the opportunities they deserve — and secure the skilled workforce our economy needs."
IEG work with over 1,000 organisations with the aim of developing their workforce locally, regionally and nationally.
🟢 Connect with our Peterborough College Employer Engagement team here.
🟡 Connect with our Stamford College Employer Engagement team here.
🎓 Connect with our University Centre Peterborough Employer Engagement team here.
© 2025 — Inspire Education Group
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