Furness College Officially Merges With Blackpool And The Fylde College To Boost North West Skills.
Furness College has officially become part of Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) Group, marking the beginning of a new chapter for further education across Cumbria and Lancashire.
The merger is intended to expand learning opportunities, address regional skills shortages, and strengthen support for local employers. The newly formed B&FC Group brings together two well-established colleges while allowing each institution to retain its own identity, campuses, and close ties with local communities. Leaders say the partnership will combine expertise, resources, and industry connections to deliver greater benefits for learners, apprentices, and businesses across the North West.
Students currently enrolled at Furness College will continue studying on the same campuses, with day-to-day teaching and support remaining unchanged. However, they are expected to benefit from wider course options, improved facilities, and greater collaboration across the enlarged college group.
The merger also strengthens education and training in several priority industries, including engineering, advanced manufacturing, defence, clean energy, digital technologies, health and social care, and professional services. College leaders believe this will help employers recruit workers with the specialist skills needed for future economic growth.
Chief Executive Alun Francis described the merger as an exciting opportunity to deepen connections between Blackpool and Barrow, while creating stronger pathways into employment and higher education. Scott Cubitt, Campus Principal of Furness College, said the priority remains delivering high-quality education while preserving the college's local identity and community relationships.
The merger follows several months of planning, consultation, and collaboration between both institutions. During this period, staff shared knowledge, aligned systems, and prepared for the formal launch of the new college group, which officially took effect on 1 August 2026.
An early example of the partnership's ambitions is the successful joint designation as one of the UK's new Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, allowing the colleges to support defence-related skills through government investment and closer collaboration with employers across the region.
Education leaders believe the merger will play an important role in addressing long-term workforce shortages while helping learners gain the skills required for emerging industries. By combining their strengths while maintaining their individual identities, the colleges aim to make a lasting contribution to economic growth, social mobility, and skills development throughout Lancashire and Cumbria.
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