Rebrand for National College for High Speed Rail as remit expands

The National College for High Speed Rail has announced it will be rebranding to the National College for Advanced Transport & Infrastructure (NCATI).

The name change reflects the broader transport and infrastructure remit of the college, which is widening its scope to meet growing demand across the sector.

The change follows consultation earlier this year with a range of stakeholders, including learners, staff, employers and representatives from across the industry, to ensure the college’s name represents the wide offering and increased opportunities available for learners, across both its Doncaster and Birmingham sites.

Chief Executive of the NCATI, Clair Mowbray, said: “We were delighted with the response to our consultation earlier this year, and I’m thrilled to be able to unveil our new name.

“As an employer-led college, it’s key that we ensure the skills we equip our learners with meet the demands and the skills shortages of the broader advanced transport and infrastructure sector.

“The latest figures published by the Strategic Transport Apprenticeship Taskforce estimate that 50,000 more people are needed in rail; 41,000 to fill roles on the road network; and 180,000 to deliver the Heathrow Expansion project. There is huge demand across the sectors and the name change reflects our dedication to delivering and developing our curriculum to meet industry demands.”

NCATI will look to further develop the specialist pathways already delivered within a High-Speed Rail context to fulfil demands across the wider transport and infrastructure sectors, ensuring the college remains industry-led and industry-focused.

Mowbray added: “Across both transport and infrastructure sectors the use of modern techniques, digitalisation and the latest technology is becoming increasingly prevalent, with a growing demand from industry for a highly technical skill-set, which the college is ideally placed to deliver. The nature of the work across the sectors is changing, and our new name now reflects the great opportunity available within the industry.”

While the name change for the National College for High Speed Rail comes into force with immediate effect, the roll-out of the new corporate identity across Doncaster and Birmingham sites will take place over the coming months.