The National College for High Speed Rail is set to be rebranded as the National College for Advanced Transport & Infrastructure (NCATI). 

It says the name change reflects the broader transport and infrastructure remit of the college, and remains committed to addressing the skills shortage across the rail, transport and infrastructure sectors, as demand increases and technology develops, and works to bring and support greater diversity across the sector.

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

Clair Mowbray, chief executive of the NCATI, 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 today. As an employer-led college, it’s key that we ensure that 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 says it will now look to further develop the specialist pathways already delivered within a high-speed rail context to fulfil the demands across the wider transport and infrastructure sectors, ensuring that 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 skillset, 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.”

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