Central College Nottingham
Nottingham College is a Further Education provider in Nottingham, UK, delivering 500+ vocational, academic, apprenticeship, and higher education courses across eight campuses to students aged 14+ and to employers, with specialist automotive training through the Emtec division.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersNottingham, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Central College Nottingham does
Central College Nottingham, operating commercially as Nottingham College, is a Further Education (FE) provider based in Nottingham, England, delivering 500+ courses across vocational, academic, apprenticeship, and higher education pathways. It operates eight campuses across Nottingham and Ruddington, serving students aged 14+ (school leavers, adult learners, university-level students) plus employer clients. Core product lines include 16–18 courses, A Levels (High Pavement Sixth Form), T Levels, 19+ adult courses, University Level (HNC/HND/degree top-ups), and apprenticeships across 12 sectors. Specialist facilities include an airline cabin, crime scene house, simulated hospital ward, automotive workshops, and an Esports centre, with £10M+ invested to date.
The college's technology stack comprises a Further Education digital learning platform (Century Tech for initial assessments), student management systems (EBS, Student Track, E Track, E-ILP), a virtual learning environment, a Craft CMS-managed website, and a student portal (My Nottingham College). The Emtec sub-brand operates as a specialist automotive training division delivering apprenticeships and CPD programmes, with partnerships across major OEMs and accident repair groups including Hyundai, Aston Martin, KGM Motors, Chery Group, Steer Group, Halfords Autocentre, and ABL 1Touch.
Revenue is diversified across four primary streams: government funding via the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for publicly funded courses; tuition fees for adult learners (19+); Apprenticeship Levy funds drawn from employers; and university-level fees eligible for student loans. A secondary commercial training stream (notably Emtec) generates additional income from employer-paid CPD and bespoke training. Go-to-market combines direct enrollment (open events, clearing, campus visits), employer engagement through dedicated apprenticeship and employer services teams, and community outreach via Schools Hub and Industry Advisory Boards across 15 sectors. The college is Ofsted-rated Good and reports 97% student progression to employment or further education.
Central College Nottingham firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Central College Nottingham
- Legal name
- Nottingham College
- Website
- https://centralnottingham.ac.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Nottingham College is a Further Education provider in Nottingham, UK, delivering 500+ vocational, academic, apprenticeship, and higher education courses across eight campuses to students aged 14+ and to employers, with specialist automotive training through the Emtec division.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Central College Nottingham industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Further Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Junior Colleges (6112), Junior Colleges (611210)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities (EDAHAEAF), Professional & Executive Short Courses (Non-Degree, International) (EDAIAIAH)
Keywords
Where Central College Nottingham is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nottingham
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices10 records
Markets served
Central College Nottingham business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government-funded Education: Primary revenue from Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for publicly funded courses. Funding for 16-18 year olds and adult education programmes.
- Tuition Fees: Fees charged to students aged 19+ for further education courses, with loan options through Student Loans Company for eligible programmes.
- Apprenticeship Levy Funds: Revenue from employers using Apprenticeship Levy contributions to fund apprenticeship training programmes.
- University Level Fees: Higher education tuition fees for degree and HNC/HND programmes, eligible for student loans.
- Commercial Training Services: Employee training, professional upskilling, and consultancy services through Emtec automotive division and professional development programmes.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | 16-18 Student Courses - Free Education |
| Subscription | Annual | 19+ Adult Further Education |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Apprenticeship Wages |
| Subscription | Annual | University Level (HE) Programmes |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Central College Nottingham product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Central College Nottingham is an independent Further Education provider offering academic and vocational courses for students aged 14+ across multiple campuses in Nottingham and Ruddington. It delivers A Levels, T Levels, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships across 12 industry sectors, and university-level programmes (HNC, HND, degree top-ups). The Emtec sub-brand provides specialist automotive training for employers including Hyundai, Aston Martin, and KGM Motors.
Product overview
Nottingham College operates as a Further Education provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and services. The core offerings include vocational and academic courses for students aged 14+ across multiple pathways: 16-18 courses, A Levels (at High Pavement Sixth Form), T Levels, courses for adults aged 19+, and University Level higher education programs including HNC, HND, and degree top-ups. Apprenticeship programs span 12 industry sectors with employer partnerships. The Emtec sub-brand provides specialist automotive training with manufacturer partnerships (Aston Martin, Hyundai, KGM Motors, Steer Group). Public-facing facilities include Fletchers restaurant/theatre, Loom Hair and Beauty Salon, Art Shop, and Once Upon a Time Nursery. Supporting services include career guidance (Career Coach), work placements, Industry Advisory Boards across 15 sectors, and employee training/professional upskilling. Facilities open to the public generate revenue while providing real-world training environments for students. The college has invested over £10 million in industry-standard facilities across eight campuses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Emtec: A specialist and globally renowned provider of automotive education and training, operating as a strategic partner within the automotive sector offering apprenticeship training and CPD programmes.
- High Pavement Sixth Form
- Fletchers Dining, Theatre and Events
- Loom Hair and Beauty Salon
- Once Upon a Time Nursery
Products and services
- 16-18 Courses
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% of students progress on to employment or further education
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Central College Nottingham
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Central College Nottingham technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration13 records
AI capability2 records
Feature1 record
Central College Nottingham partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- Chery GroupcorePartnership with UK's fastest growing automotive brand. Luke Garratt, UK Technical Training Manager at Chery Group, involved in apprenticeship programme development with Nottingham College.
- Miller KnightminorConstruction and regeneration company helping shape Nottingham College's Corporate Social Responsibility Framework.
- Steer Group (Automotive)coreSteer Group is the UK's largest independent accident repair group with 93 locations and 2,200+ colleagues. Nottingham College delivers automotive apprenticeships through Emtec for Steer Group, supporting their carbon zero and EV transition goals.
- KGM Motors (formerly SsangYong)coreSouth Korean automotive manufacturer exporting to 126+ countries. KGM Motors apprenticeship programme delivered through Emtec for technician training.
- Hyundai UKcoreHyundai Motor Company delivers UK Technical Apprenticeship Programme through Nottingham College. College provides expert staff, facilities, and hands-on training equipping apprentices with Hyundai specialist skills.
- Aston Martin UK DealershipflagshipLuxury automotive brand dealership apprenticeship programme delivered through Emtec at Nottingham College for specialist technician training.
- Halfords AutocentrecoreAutomotive retail and service network apprenticeship programme for autocentre technicians delivered through Emtec.
- ABL 1Touch AutomotivecoreAutomotive apprenticeships partnership through Emtec for accident repair technician training.
- Gemini Accident RepaircoreAccident repair apprenticeship programme partnership for technician training.
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS TrustcoreNUH NHS Trust staff training including NVQ programmes. Laundry Services achieved 40%+ productivity improvement. Wider Workforce training for healthcare staff.
- CircleminorEurope's largest healthcare partnership. Leadership management training (ILM Award) for managers.
- Nottingham Trent UniversitycoreNTU invests over £350 million in campuses. Partnership for apprenticeship recruitment for School of Science and Technology. Three apprentices recruited in under two weeks.
- Keepmoat Regeneration (ENGIE Group)coreLeading UK regeneration services provider. Approximately 8% of workforce are trainees, apprentices, and graduates. Construction industry apprenticeship support.
- British GypsumminorUK's leading plaster manufacturer. Thistle Partnership member (one of 60 colleges). CPD sessions for building practices and training needs.
- Jigsaw24minorIT company serving 25,000+ customers. Apprenticeship recruitment matching candidates to company ethos.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Central College Nottingham competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- South & City College Birmingham: Large FE provider in Birmingham offering a broad mix of vocational courses, apprenticeships, and HE pathways. Comparable scale and curriculum breadth, and a competitor for regional Apprenticeship Levy contracts in the Midlands.
- Barnsley College: Mid-sized FE college in South Yorkshire offering vocational, academic, apprenticeship, and HE programmes. Operates with a similar funding mix and employer-engagement model to Nottingham College, though at smaller scale.
- Leeds City College: Large multi-campus FE provider in West Yorkshire offering vocational, academic, apprenticeship, and HE programmes. Operates as part of the Luminate Education Group and competes with Nottingham College for the same FE/apprenticeship funding pool and large-employer apprenticeship contracts in the North/Midlands.
- Weston College: Large FE college in the South West notable for specialist apprenticeship delivery and employer partnerships. Comparable to Nottingham College for the apprenticeship and employer-training revenue model, though smaller in geographic reach.
- City of Bristol College: Large FE college in Bristol offering vocational and academic programmes, apprenticeships across multiple sectors, T Levels, and HE pathways. Comparable to Nottingham College in terms of multi-sector apprenticeship coverage and public-sector funding reliance.
- Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMET): Large FE college in the West Midlands with multiple campuses offering A Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, and HE. Directly comparable scale and product breadth, and competes with Nottingham College for West Midlands-based employer apprenticeship contracts.
- Newcastle College: Major FE college in the North East, part of NCG, offering A Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, T Levels, and HE programmes with employer partnerships. Closely comparable in scale, curriculum breadth, and the multi-campus operating structure typical of UK large FE providers.
- The Manchester College: One of the largest FE colleges in the UK, operating multiple campuses across Greater Manchester and offering a similarly broad curriculum including A Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, T Levels, and university-level programmes. Closely comparable scale and product mix to Nottingham College, with the same employer-led apprenticeship model and ESFA funding base.
Others
- Steer Automotive Group: UK's largest independent accident repair group with 93 locations and 2,200+ colleagues. Named employer partner of Nottingham College/Emtec for automotive apprenticeships and EV transition training, and thus a key customer and channel rather than direct competitor.
Broad incumbents
- Nottingham Trent University: Large regional university and named apprenticeship partner of Nottingham College. Overlaps in HE provision (HNC, HND, degree top-ups) and competes for the same university-level students in the East Midlands catchment, though at a higher price point.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Central College Nottingham social profiles
Digital presenceCentral College Nottingham compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Central College Nottingham financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Central College Nottingham leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Central College Nottingham funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Central College Nottingham M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Central College Nottingham
What does Central College Nottingham do?
Central College Nottingham is an independent Further Education provider offering academic and vocational courses for students aged 14+ across multiple campuses in Nottingham and Ruddington. It delivers A Levels, T Levels, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships across 12 industry sectors, and university-level programmes (HNC, HND, degree top-ups). The Emtec sub-brand provides specialist automotive training for employers including Hyundai, Aston Martin, and KGM Motors.
Is Central College Nottingham a public or private company?
Central College Nottingham is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Central College Nottingham founded?
Central College Nottingham was founded in 2012. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Central College Nottingham based?
Central College Nottingham is headquartered in Nottingham, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Central College Nottingham make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Government-funded Education is the primary driver. The others are tuition Fees, apprenticeship Levy Funds, university Level Fees and commercial Training Services.
Who are Central College Nottingham's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are South & City College Birmingham, Barnsley College, Leeds City College, Weston College, City of Bristol College, Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMET), Newcastle College and The Manchester College. Steer Automotive Group is listed as an others. Nottingham Trent University is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Central College Nottingham have an API?
No public API is recorded for Central College Nottingham.
What industry is Central College Nottingham in?
Central College Nottingham's product category is Further Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHADAE, Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce), with a secondary code of EDAHAEAF, Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.