Solihull College & University Centre

What Solihull College & University Centre does

Solihull College & University Centre is a Further Education college incorporated in England and headquartered in Solihull, United Kingdom, operating under a non-profit, publicly funded model. The institution delivers vocational and academic provision across three campuses — Blossomfield (main campus), Woodlands (construction and trades), and Stratford-upon-Avon (merged in 2018, safeguarding more than 1,000 students). Its portfolio spans 16–19 courses (A-Levels, T-Levels, vocational diplomas), apprenticeships across construction, business, health and social care, digital, and creative industries, university-level courses validated by Coventry University, Oxford Brookes University, and Birmingham Newman University, adult and professional courses, WMCA-funded bootcamps (including creative screen-sector programmes), online distance learning, and a mobile digital classroom that extends skills training into community hubs and libraries.

The college is funded primarily through the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) recurrent grant, Apprenticeship Levy contributions from employers, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) contracts for bootcamps and the Local Skills Improvement Fund, employer fees for bespoke training, and ancillary commercial income from venue hire and the Aspire Hair & Beauty training salon. It leads the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT) and co-leads the West Midlands & Warwickshire LSIF consortium of 23 providers, positioning it as a regional anchor for technical skills delivery in advanced manufacturing, engineering, digital, and green technologies. Go-to-market is event-driven (open events, campus visits, application portals) and community-led (family hubs, libraries, mobile classroom, Pride sponsorship), supported by digital marketing across TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Technology stack is conventional and operationally focused: Google Tag Manager, Google Analytics, and Hotjar for web analytics, embedded YouTube/Facebook/Instagram/Twitter content, Microsoft Imagine Academy and CompTIA credentials for IT curriculum delivery, and a mobile digital classroom equipped with Wi-Fi and computers for community outreach. The college holds Ofsted 'GOOD' with a unique 'STRONG' skills-needs judgement, TEF 2023 Silver, and a WorldSkills Lyon 2024 Silver Medal in Bench Joinery. Governance is led by Principal Dr Rebecca Gater following the 2025 departure of long-serving Chair of Governors Barbara Hughes.

Name

Solihull College & University Centre

Legal name

Solihull College and University Centre

Website

https://solihull.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Solihull College & University Centre is a publicly funded Further Education college in the West Midlands, UK, delivering 16-19, apprenticeship, university-level, adult, and bootcamp programmes across three campuses, and leading regional initiatives in technical skills and employer engagement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Further and Higher Education Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Junior Colleges (61121)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Junior Colleges (Associate-Degree Granting) (EDAHADAC), Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG), Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities (EDAHAEAF)

Keywords

• Further education
• Vocational training
• Apprenticeship programmes
• Higher education courses
• Workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Solihull

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government-funded education: Publicly funded further and higher education institution receiving funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) for course delivery.
2. Apprenticeship Levy funding: Apprenticeship programmes funded through apprenticeship levy contributions from employers.
3. Venue hire services: Solihull Venue Hire services for external events and functions.
4. Commercial training services: Tailored business training and upskilling programmes for employers such as the John Lewis BSL course partnership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Solihull College & University Centre delivers Further and Higher Education courses across the West Midlands, including 16-19 programmes (A-Levels, T-Levels, vocational diplomas), apprenticeships in sectors such as construction, business administration, health and social care and creative industries, university-level degrees in partnership with partner universities, and adult professional and community education. The college also offers employer services through its Business Centre, bespoke training, Apprenticeship Levy recruitment, and commercial operations including the Aspire Hair & Beauty training salon and Solihull Venue Hire.

Product overview

Solihull College & University Centre operates as a Further and Higher Education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services. The core offerings include 16-19 Courses (vocational diplomas, T-Levels, A-Levels), Apprenticeships across multiple sectors, University Level Courses through partner universities (Coventry, Oxford Brookes, Birmingham Newman), Adult & Professional Courses for career development, and Community Education for personal enrichment. The college also delivers Bootcamps (WMCA-funded free programmes in creative, digital and business sectors), Online Courses for distance learning, and specialist sub-products including the University Centre, Institute of Technology (GBSIoT), Business Centre for employer services, Aspire Hair & Beauty training salon, and Solihull Venue Hire. Subject-specific offerings span Construction, Sport, Computing/Digital/Esports, Creative Arts, and Health & Social Care. The institution serves school leavers, adults seeking upskilling, and employers needing workforce development solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 16-19 Courses Full-time Further Education courses for school leavers aged 16-19 including vocational diplomas, T-Levels, A-Levels and SEND-supported pathways across subject areas such as sport, computing, creative arts, construction and health and social care.
• Apprenticeships Work-based learning programmes combining on-the-job training with college study, available across multiple sectors including construction, business administration, health and social care, digital and creative industries. Funded via Apprenticeship Levy for employers.
• University Level Courses Higher Education programmes delivered in partnership with Coventry University, Oxford Brookes University and Birmingham Newman University, leading to degrees, Higher National Diplomas and other university-level qualifications.
• Adult and Professional Courses Part-time and flexible learning opportunities for adults including professional qualifications, vocational courses, English/Maths/ESOL, digital skills and skills training for career development. Many courses are free for eligible learners.
• Bootcamps Free intensive training programmes funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) for adults aged 19+ living in WMCA, Coventry or Warwickshire postcodes, covering business, digital and creative industries including Get Gallery Ready, Short Film Lab, Creative Venue Technician, Digital Support Technician, Podcast Content Creation, Art Department for Film/TV/Theatre, Workshop Facilitation for Creative Practitioners, MasterChef and the Peaky Blinders Training Bootcamp.
• Community Education Short accessible courses for personal development and community engagement including art, languages, digital skills, crafts, wellbeing and family learning programmes delivered at campuses, family hubs and libraries.
• Online Courses Distance learning programmes enabling students to study remotely, including online construction courses and flexible learning options delivered via the online learning portal.
• University Centre Higher Education provision within the college offering degree-level courses and university-level programmes in partnership with Coventry University, Oxford Brookes University and Birmingham Newman University.
• Greater Birmingham & Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT) Institute of Technology led by the college supporting advanced manufacturing and engineering with strong employer links across the region.
• Aspire Hair and Beauty Commercial hair and beauty salon operated by the college as a training facility for students.
• Solihull Venue Hire Commercial venue rental service offering college facilities for external events and functions.
• Business Centre Services for employers including workforce development, staff upskilling, apprenticeship recruitment and business training solutions delivered at employer premises or college facilities.
• University Level Esports Course New higher education course in esports, announced as a launch for January 2026 aimed at university-level learners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Student numbers grew significantly under leadership with improved learner progression and employment outcomes
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Care2Home LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Partnership focused on health and social care sector workforce development. College delivers tailored upskilling for existing staff and supports 'Into Employment' pathways helping individuals gain qualifications to enter the care sector with guaranteed interviews at Care2Home.
• John LewiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Bespoke British Sign Language course for John Lewis Partners at Touchwood store in Solihull to better support deaf customers and create more inclusive shopping experience.
• Stratford-upon-Avon CollegeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Successful merger in 2018 safeguarding provision for more than 1,000 students and strengthening skills delivery across the region. Combined institutions operate under unified leadership.
• Coventry UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Centre partnership offering higher education programmes with Coventry University awards at Solihull College.
• Oxford Brookes UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Centre partnership offering higher education programmes with Oxford Brookes University awards.
• Birmingham Newman UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Centre partnership offering higher education programmes with Birmingham Newman University awards.
• West Midlands Combined AuthorityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner for bootcamps, mobile classroom, and Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF). WMCA funds creative and digital bootcamps helping people gain experience in TV and media industries.
• Kudos KnightcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative partnership with Steven Knight delivering Peaky Blinders Training Bootcamp for TV production careers in the West Midlands.
• Greater Birmingham & Solihull Institute of TechnologyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege leads GBSIoT supporting advanced manufacturing and engineering and strengthening links with employers across the region.
• Digital GaragecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMedia solutions business providing broadcast, immersive and creative technology solutions. Hosting business administration and events apprentice Daniel Buckley.
• Mears GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOne of the UK's leading housing and care providers employing HR People Professional Apprentice Laura Crosby who achieved 'Above and Beyond' award.
• Armstrong BuildminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConstruction company that lent digger to support bricklaying apprentices building duck shelter project at college.
• RumpuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTV production company collaborating on creative bootcamps including Joe Lycett Show filmed and produced in Birmingham.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Walsall College: FE college in the West Midlands offering 16-19, apprenticeship, HE, and adult provision. Similar institutional profile and public-funding dependency.
• Coventry College: Further Education college serving Coventry with 16-19, adult, apprenticeship, and vocational provision. Competes for the same West Midlands learner base and apprenticeship levy-funded training.
• Sandwell College: West Midlands general FE college offering vocational, apprenticeship, and adult programmes. Competes for the same regional apprenticeship and adult skills funding pots.
• Heart of Worcestershire College: General Further Education college serving neighbouring Worcestershire with a similar 16-19, apprenticeship, adult, and HE portfolio. Directly comparable in size, product mix, and funding model to Solihull College & University Centre.
• South and City College Birmingham: Birmingham-based general FE college with a comparable 16-19, adult, apprenticeship, and HE portfolio. Direct competitor for school-leaver and adult learner recruitment in the same West Midlands geography.
• Warwickshire College and University Centre: Adjacent FE college with university centre status, offering vocational, apprenticeship, and HE pathways across Warwickshire. Overlaps with Solihull in the same regional LSIF and employer engagement ecosystem.

Emerging players

• QA (QA Apprenticeships): Large private training provider delivering apprenticeships and commercial training across the UK. Competes for the same apprenticeship levy-funded employer relationships in digital, business, and tech pathways.
• Corndel: Specialist training provider focused on management and professional apprenticeships. Competes for higher-level apprenticeship demand that might otherwise be served by FE college university centres.

Broad incumbents

• Aston University: Birmingham-based university with strong professional, apprenticeship, and degree-apprenticeship programmes. Competes for higher-level and apprenticeship learners across the same West Midlands catchment.
• Coventry University: Major regional university and Solihull's HE partner for university-level awards. Overlaps with Solihull in higher education delivery in the West Midlands but operates at a much larger scale and with a broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SolihullCollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/Solihull.College
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solihull-college

Compliance18 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Solihull College & University Centre