Lakes College unveils ambitious five-year plan to power the future of West Cumbria 

Lakes College has unveiled an ambitious new five-year Strategic Plan, setting out a vision to become one of the UK’s leading Further Education colleges while helping to power the future workforce and drive prosperity across West Cumbria.  

The Lillyhall college’s Strategic Plan 2026–2031, sets out a clear ambition for what Lakes College wants to achieve - becoming the leading college for clean energy and technical excellence and delivering exceptional education and outcomes.  

The college aims to ensure every learner progresses into a positive destination, continue to grow its higher education and higher technical offer, and remain financially resilient and sustainable.  

The plan comes at a pivotal time for West Cumbria, with major opportunities emerging across clean energy, nuclear, engineering, construction, advanced manufacturing and other key sectors.  

As the only general Further Education college serving West Cumbria, Lakes College has set out a clear ambition to play a leading role in ensuring local people, employers and communities can benefit from the opportunities ahead.  

The new strategy is built around a simple purpose: to transform lives through learning, power the workforce of tomorrow and drive prosperity across West Cumbria and beyond.  

Principal and Chief Executive Officer Mark Fell said: “This strategy marks a clear ambition for Lakes College.  

“West Cumbria is at the centre of one of the most significant economic opportunities in the UK. The growth of clean energy, nuclear and other key industries will create huge opportunities for our region, and Lakes College has a unique role to play in ensuring our people have the skills, knowledge and confidence to benefit from them.  

“But our ambition goes beyond responding to workforce demand. We are here to transform lives. We want every learner, whatever their starting point or ambition, to have access to high-quality education and clear pathways into employment, apprenticeships, higher education and rewarding careers.  

“Over the next five years, we will be relentless in our focus on quality, outcomes and learner experience. We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with employers and ensure our curriculum responds to the skills needed now and in the future.  

“We are not here simply to respond to change. We are here to lead it. This strategy is about the difference we want Lakes College to make - for our learners, our employers, our staff, our communities and the future prosperity of West Cumbria.”  

The strategy is built around five priorities that will shape decision-making, investment and improvement across the College: Exceptional Education and Outcomes; Leading Clean Energy and Technical Excellence; Skills for Growth and Employers; Culture, People and Belonging; and Sustainable, Future-Ready College.  

Together, these priorities will support Lakes College’s vision of being nationally recognised for excellence in technical education, delivering exceptional outcomes and supporting the UK’s Industrial Strategy.  

A major focus of the plan will be ensuring learners receive exceptional education and clear pathways into their chosen future.  

By 2031, the College aims to achieve sector-leading outcomes, improve progression into employment, apprenticeships and higher education, and create an outstanding learner experience.  

The strategy also sets out ambitions to strengthen Lakes College’s national reputation for clean energy, nuclear, engineering and technical education, while expanding higher-level technical and professional pathways and investing in specialist facilities, expertise and emerging technologies.  

At the same time, the college will continue to develop its broad and inclusive offer, ensuring learners can pursue academic, technical or vocational pathways close to home.  

The strategy recognises the significant opportunities ahead for West Cumbria, while also acknowledging the challenges faced by a dispersed and rural community, including barriers to education and employment and growing skills shortages.  

Lakes College will work alongside employers, schools, universities, public sector organisations and community partners to ensure its curriculum responds to current and future workforce needs, while creating clear pathways into meaningful employment.  

The College already works with more than 700 employer partners and has committed to further strengthening those relationships as it works to address skills shortages, support workforce development and help businesses access the talent they need to grow.  

By 2031, Lakes College wants to be recognised not simply for the courses it delivers or qualifications it awards, but for the difference it makes to its learners, employers, communities and the wider region.  

The full Lakes College Strategic Plan 2026–2031, is available to view on the college website.