North West Regional College

Enriching lives, building careers and supporting communities…North West Regional College (NWRC) has been at the heart of life in the North West of Northern Ireland for more than 100 years.<br><br>Across the passing of time it has stood as an important institution renowned for delivering an extensive range of learning and career opportunities to thousands of learners. As an employer, North West Regional College has provided hundreds of jobs across its teaching, support and technical areas. As a supporter of the local economy, it has nurtured local enterprise through expert training and skills development. And, as a community partner, it has crossed the divide to offer an integrated civic resource for the benefit of the entire region.<br><br>Now, NWRC is delivering an invigorated brand of education and training aimed at attracting new learners, while advancing the growth and prosperity of the local economy. The College has main campuses in Derry-Londonderry, Limavady and Strabane, and supports over 20,000 student enrolments each year.<br><br>Learners attend from all parts of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, undertaking full-time or part-time study programmes in a range of vocational or non-vocational areas. It has 4 academic departments, each catering for school leavers, mature students, professionals, community organisations, and the unemployed. These are: Science and Technology; Training and Skills; Health & Sport; and Business, Hospitality, Tourism and Performing Arts.<br><br>Many courses at the College are developed in conjunction with local employers and are designed to give the students a feel for future employment and to enhance practical competence in their chosen vocation. Vocational routes on offer include full-time Level 2, 3 and HND choices which blend modern classroom delivery with real-life work-based challenges. For those wishing to progress to university, an extensive selection of Higher Education programmes provides direct access into degree programmes throughout the UK. The NWRC part-time portfolio includes hundreds of courses in areas such as Essential Skills, hobby & recreation, return to study, and professional development, as well as the traditional part-time vocational courses.<br><br>A renewed focus has emerged across all the College in response to the region’s economic and employment challenges. It remains determined to help local agencies and organisations access the training required to develop the skills and confidence of the local workforce. The provision and promotion of more traditional subjects continue to be a core priority for the College.<br><br>Within its Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) provision, new courses in Forensic Science, Computer Games Technology, Interactive Media and Gas Installation, are now on offer, responding to requirements set out by the Department of Employment and Learning as being vital for the future economic success of the province.<br><br>The College makes a significant contribution to the local economy both as an employer and a provider of education and training. It is a lead partner in the local Workforce Development Forum, partnering industry and commerce and the local council to develop a comprehensive range of retraining programmes to suit the needs of local employers.<br><br>The College continues to play an integral role in support of the social, economic and cultural development of the North West Region and takes great pride in celebrating the achievements and successes of its students and staff during and after their experiences at the College.