SMB College Group is proud to celebrate the centenary of its Stephenson Campus - 100 years of providing technical and trade education for the community of Coalville and beyond!
Stephenson was founded in 1924 as Coalville Technical College, changing its name to Stephenson College in 1997. Originally a mining college, it has grown and diversified considerably over the years to meet local and national skills needs.
In 2020, the College merged with Brooksby Melton College to become SMB College Group, continuing to provide high quality teaching and support to learners across Leicestershire and beyond.
An award-winning Apprenticeship provider which also offers a wide range of full-time study options, Stephenson Campus is known for its Technical and Trade courses, with state-of-the-art working environments for Motor Vehicle, HGV, Forklift, Construction, Plumbing and Engineering as well as fantastic facilities for Hair, Beauty and Health & Social Care, in addition, to excellent learning and classroom spaces.
The campus design has been heralded as an example of best practice, offering an innovative, inclusive, and inspiring approach to learning.
Stephenson Campus boasts a series of impressive employer partnerships including Toyota Material Handling UK, Kion, Linde, STILL, Logistics UK. The college also works with Barratt Developments, one of the UKs top home builders, in a partnership that has been recognised at the FE Week and AELP AAC Apprenticeship Awards, where Stephenson Campus and Barratt Developments were awarded Construction Apprenticeship Provider of the Year 2022.
Paul Dancer, Director of Engineering, Transport and Future Technologies at the College, said “100 years of technical education in the local area is a great achievement. Starting as a mining college and developing into this state-of-the-art technical institution demonstrates the college’s long-standing commitment to developing skills in the local community.
“My career started with studying at the College; on the Motor Vehicle Awareness programme before progressing onto an apprenticeship and then into employment at Ford Motors Coalville.
“After establishing myself, I came back to the Stephenson Campus and did my HND and HNC, and eventually became a tutor at the College which was an amazing opportunity. I worked within the Motor Vehicle Department and progressed as a team leader in the department. After 4 years I left the College to become a Director at North Warwickshire & Hinckley College before coming back to Stephenson as a Director of Curriculum Automotive and Engineering.
“I am very invested in the future of the College and excited to continue to make a difference to the students and local community.”
Jon Laud Assistant Principal for Curriculum added, “The Stephenson Campus is a special place, with such a rich legacy not just locally but on a national footing. The ambition is to continue to be a flagship campus developing and showcasing skills in Leicestershire for the next 100 years”.
If you’re interested in studying at SMB College Group, or are an employer looking to understand how the college can help you with your training and development needs, head to www.smbcollegegroup.ac.uk or get in touch at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 01530 836 136 to find out more.