RNN Group is a further and higher education provider based in South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire, England. It operates three colleges, two higher education centers, and several specialist training facilities, serving thousands of school leavers, adult learners, and employers each year. If you came across the name on a job listing, a course search, or an apprenticeship posting, here’s what the organization actually is and what it offers.
The Colleges and Campuses
RNN Group is built around three colleges, each serving a different part of its regional footprint:
- Rotherham College sits in Rotherham town centre and draws students from across South Yorkshire.
- North Notts College is based in Worksop, serving learners across Nottinghamshire.
- Dearne Valley College is located in the Dearne Valley area, covering communities in Rotherham, Barnsley, and Doncaster.
Beyond the three colleges, the Group runs two higher education centers. University Centre Rotherham (UCR) opened in 2018 as a dedicated space for degree-level study, designed to make higher education accessible locally rather than requiring students to travel to a traditional university. In 2022, RNN Group became the first educational institution to join The Bridge Skills Hub in Worksop, extending higher education options to the North Nottinghamshire area as well.
There are also several specialist training centers under the RNN umbrella, including an AM2 Electro Testing Centre and Gas Works facility, a National Fluid Power Centre, and a Logistics Training Centre. These exist primarily to support vocational and industry-specific qualifications.
What You Can Study
RNN Group covers a wide range of qualification levels, from entry-level vocational courses through to full degrees. For school leavers, the colleges offer further education programs similar to what you’d find at any large FE college: vocational diplomas, A-level equivalents, and practical skills courses across dozens of subject areas.
For adults looking to retrain or upskill, the Group runs adult learning programs alongside its employer-focused training. And through UCR and The Bridge Skills Hub, students can pursue foundation degrees, full bachelor’s degrees, and even some master’s-level qualifications without leaving the region.
Apprenticeships and Employer Training
A significant part of RNN Group’s work is apprenticeship delivery. RNN Training, the employer-facing arm of the Group, engages over 4,000 apprentices each year and works with employers both locally and nationally. The apprenticeship programs span multiple levels:
- Intermediate Apprenticeships (Level 2) are roughly equivalent to five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4.
- Advanced Apprenticeships (Level 3) are equivalent to two A-Levels.
- Higher Apprenticeships (Levels 4 and 5) sit at foundation degree level.
- Degree Apprenticeships (Levels 6 and 7) lead to a full bachelor’s or master’s degree.
The Group also offers traineeships, which are unpaid programs lasting 10 to 15 weeks aimed at helping young people build the skills they need to secure a job or move into an apprenticeship. For businesses, RNN Training provides bespoke workforce development solutions alongside standard apprenticeship programs.
Ofsted Rating
RNN Group holds a “Good” rating from Ofsted, the body that inspects education providers in England. Its most recent full inspection took place in November 2022 and returned “Good” across every category: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, education programs for young people, adult learning programs, apprenticeships, and provision for learners with high needs.
Who RNN Group Is For
If you’re a school leaver in the Rotherham, Worksop, or Dearne Valley area looking for vocational or academic qualifications, RNN Group’s three colleges are your local further education options. If you want a degree but prefer to study close to home rather than relocating to a university city, UCR and The Bridge Skills Hub offer that path. And if you’re an employer looking to bring on apprentices or upskill your existing workforce, RNN Training works with businesses of all sizes to set up and manage apprenticeship programs across a broad range of industries and qualification levels.