Skip to content

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

City College Plymouth is the city’s anchor institution for skills, delivering high-quality further and higher education from pre-entry to degree level for young people and adults across all curriculum sectors. 

Our purpose is to transform lives and support inclusive economic growth by connecting learners to real-world opportunities, meeting employer needs and strengthening the skills base of Plymouth and the wider region. 

This is delivered through our eight strategic objectives – transforming futures; maritime, manufacturing, construction and the built environment; health and active wellbeing; developing people; digital innovation; finance; estates and assets; and opportunities.

 

image

Since the College’s Strategic Plan was created, several material developments have strengthened our reputation. The College was graded Good by Ofsted in 2024 and, in April 2026, was designated with the prestigious Defence Technical Excellence College status, reinforcing our importance to the city, regional economy and national defence skills pipeline.

We have further strengthened our leadership role across the local and regional skills system through active engagement as Skills Workstream Lead for Team Plymouth and Skills Pillar Lead for the Local Authority.

We also maintain a strong presence on the Plymouth Growth Board, contribute to devolved regional skills structures, and play an active role in the Local Skills Improvement Plan and Fund, as well as the Devon Colleges Group.

These partnerships ensure that curriculum planning, Apprenticeships and investment decisions remain closely aligned to labour market intelligence, employer demand and community need.

image

Our Strategic Plan sets the College’s longer-term vision and strategic actions, while the annual accountability statement translates that vision into a focused annual delivery framework.

The Accountability Statement therefore provides the annual expression of the Strategic Plan, identifying the priority actions, measures and partnerships through which the College will respond to current and emerging needs.

This approach demonstrates clear alignment with the Local Needs Duty. The College’s longer-term strategic outcomes are shaped by sustained engagement with employers, civic leaders, regional colleges and devolved authorities. 

As a result, we are able to align our provision to local skills priorities, particularly in health and social care, marine and defence, advanced manufacturing, construction, digital, sciences and other growth sectors, while also supporting productivity, social mobility and wider community wellbeing across Plymouth and the surrounding region.

Why choose City College Plymouth?

Find out how we can be your learning destination of choice.

4,024

full-time students

8,425

part-time students

12,449

total number of students

1,594

apprentices