South East Derbyshire College and Derby College merger now underway

A full public consultation period concerning the proposed merger of South East Derbyshire College (SEDC) and Derby College to create a single Further Education college is now underway.

SEDC is the largest provider of education and training to young people, adults and employers in the Amber Valley and Erewash local authority areas.

Derby College was established in 2002 as a result of the merger between three Derbyshire colleges. It operates on three main sites.

After careful deliberation, SEDC decided that Derby College was their preferred merger partner. In order for the two Colleges to merge, the corporation of SEDC proposed the dissolution of its corporation.

Mid-July, the Learning and Skills Council’s (LSC) Regional Board received an initial outline proposal for the merger and agreed to proceed to public consultation for the proposal. The consultation period ends on the 2 October 2009. In November 2009, a full merger proposal will be presented to the LSC Regional Board.

The date put forward for the dissolution is the 31 January 2010. On that date, SEDC property, rights and liabilities will be transferred to the corporation of Derby College, under the name Derbyshire College.

The principal reason advanced by governors of the colleges in support of the proposal is to create a cost effective, high quality general Further Education college which builds on the strengths of the two colleges.

Provisions will be made for all students at SEDC, who have not finished their courses of study by 31 January 2010, to complete their studies within the merged college campuses in Ilkeston and Heanor.

Solange Berchemin