8 January 2019: 10:00 am

College merger could boost technical offering

Prospects College of Advanced Technology (PROCAT) is set to merge with South Essex College of Further and Higher Education (SEC).

Retaining the name PROCAT, the merging process must complete a number of stages before seeking the approval of the secretary of state for education. If approved, the project will start in early 2019 and the merged college will seek further investment towards developing the Basildon town centre campus as its headquarters.

PROCAT chairman David Sherlock said: “Our dream has been to create a technical university for Basildon. To do that we need larger scale and excellence.

“We are confident that this merger will provide that, establishing a powerhouse of technical creativity for the thriving Thames Gateway.”

The merger aims to train more people in construction and the technical industries to boost employment prospects in the Thames Estuary region.

SEC principal and chief executive, Angela O’Donoghue, said: “Our decision to merge with PROCAT has been underpinned by our shared commitment in providing technical training opportunities up to degree level to meet the skills needs in the Thames Estuary and beyond.

“The merger with PROCAT, alongside our upcoming Basildon town centre campus, present exciting times for all.”