Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG), in partnership with Drayton Beaumont Group, has launched the Drayton Beaumont Academy, an initiative designed to address the growing skills gap within the Mechanical and Electrical sector.
The Academy creates a pathway for learners to gain valuable, hands-on experience while developing the technical and professional skills required by employers.
Through the partnership, Drayton Beaumont Group will provide high-quality industry placements for learners across a range of NSCG pathways, including Electrical Installation, Engineering, Business and Digital. These placements are designed to offer learners real responsibilities and exposure to live projects, helping them make informed decisions about their future careers.
The launch of the Drayton Beaumont Academy was marked by a special event hosted at NSCG Newcastle College on Friday 27th March 2026. The event brought together a wide range of key stakeholders, including representatives from the engineering and construction sectors, local government, the Association of Colleges and the Gatsby Foundation.
The event began with a welcome from Drayton Beaumont Group Founder and Managing Director, Steve Beaumont, followed by a presentation on the skills and education landscape, delivered by NSCG’s Group Head of Employer Partnerships, Lyndsey Cherry and Drayton Beaumont’s Contracts Manager, Tom Preston.
This was followed by an awards ceremony celebrating current staff and apprentices working at Drayton Beaumont Group. During the ceremony, Steve Beaumont Senior was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by his son Steve Beaumont Junior, while Jon Moran, Managing Director of JPR, also received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Also receiving an award for contribution to the company was NSCG Higher Apprentice, Harrison Pound and NSCG Apprentice Kyan Collier, who received an award for New Apprentice of the year.
Lyndsey Cherry, Group Head of Employer Partnerships, said: “The Drayton Beaumont Academy is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when education and industry work in true partnership. Our learners are gaining invaluable, real-world experience that builds their confidence, skills, and career aspirations. This is about creating clear pathways into industry and ensuring our learners are fully prepared for the workplace.”
In the current academic year alone, the Academy will support 89 learners with work experience opportunities, enhancing their employability and progression prospects. On completion of their programmes, learners will have the opportunity to progress into apprenticeships or full-time employment within Drayton Beaumont Group.
Steve Beaumont, Founder and Managing Director of Drayton Beaumont Group, said: “We are proud to be working alongside NSCG to support the next generation of talent. The Academy allows us to invest in young people, helping them develop the skills our industry needs while giving them real opportunities to succeed within our organisation.”
This initiative builds on the existing relationship between NSCG and Drayton Beaumont Group, which has seen the organisation become a key employer partner, supporting learners through industry placements, contributing to curriculum development and investing in facilities such as the college’s emerging technologies and Institute of Technology provision.
Find out more about studying at NSCG: https://nscg.ac.uk/
