EKC Group launches new strategic plan

East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) has launched its new strategic plan, which aims to drive the organisation’s evolution over the next five years.

Following the creation of a new mission and vision for the organisation, the Group’s CEO Lucy McLeod, says the plan is to focus on “evolution rather than revolution” to ensure the organisation is positioned to respond to any forthcoming changes over the next half a decade.

The new mission sets out to “empower our communities to develop their economic and social prosperity in a rapidly changing world”.

Meanwhile, the new vision for the Group is “for ambitions in life and work to be achieved through outstanding education and skills”.

Five fresh strategic goals have also been developed as part of this plan. While some are completely new, others build on the foundations that the Group has already developed over the past two plan periods.

They are:

1. Building on our existing strengths, deliver a wider range of inspirational, inclusive and accessible education provision that meets the needs of our communities.
2. Ensuring our learners are equipped for their next stage of life and work in a rapidly changing world.
3. Developing and delivering a range of exceptional business support and training solutions, establishing long-term partnerships with our local employers to enable them to grow and innovate.
4. Developing and investing in our people to enable them to prosper in their roles and careers, delivering transformational education and services for our communities.
5. Building on our investment in a sustainable, physical and digital infrastructure, ensuring that our facilities, services and learning environments meet the needs of students and industry. 

Speaking following the publication of the plan, EKC Group’s CEO Lucy McLeod said: “The past five years have seen substantial change in our world, both globally and within our own Group’s community.

“As a further education Group, we have experienced substantial changes such as the inclusion of our EKC Ashford College and Spring Lane campus into our organisation throughout the previous plan period, and the recent reclassification of the sector, which has changed the dynamic substantially.

“This plan is, to coin a phrase, evolution rather than revolution that seeks to ensure we are positioned to respond to forthcoming changes such as the devolution agenda that remains high on the Government’s list of priorities.

“Therefore, whilst this Strategic Plan still includes entirely new priorities and directions, a number of the goals included build upon the foundations we have developed over the past two plan periods. It is intended that there is an aspect of consolidation in this plan period, helping to strengthen the Group and develop a greater resilience than ever before.

“We look forward to working alongside you in helping to empower our communities to develop their economic and social prosperity in a rapidly changing world.”