From Competition to Collaboration: What does meaningful and effective collaboration look like in practice?
The College Alliance is proud to host its next Network Meeting at Wigan & Leigh College - Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 May 2026
The UK Government’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper signals a significant shift — not only in how post-16 education and skills are organised, but in how colleges, universities, Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) and employers are expected to work together at both national and regional/ local levels. There is now a growing focus across all nations on social partnership, tertiary coherence and stronger regional systems. This raises an urgent and shared question: what does meaningful, effective collaboration actually look like in practice?
This meeting of The College Alliance network explores that question together. Hosted at Wigan and Leigh College, we will use the college’s work - including its leadership of one of England’s eight Construction Technical Excellence Colleges - as a practical lens through which to examine both the opportunities and tensions of a more collaborative system.
The discussions will focus on three interrelated themes:
- Collaborative policy-making
We will explore the opportunities and challenges of co-productive approaches to policy development, and what this demands of both policy-makers and sector leaders - including a willingness to share risk, sit with uncertainty and prioritise long-term system change over short-term wins. - Meaningful collaboration between college leaders
How do we move beyond “competition with a smile” towards a stronger, more coherent regional system? What does real give-and-take look like, and how can leaders balance institutional responsibilities with collective ambition? - Stronger regional and employer partnerships
How can colleges deepen engagement with employers beyond transactional skills supply? We will consider what long-term, strategic partnerships - including co-investment and collaboration on innovation and productivity- might involve.
Through structured discussion amongst the Alliance network members, we will examine what it takes to build a system that is not just more joined-up, but genuinely co-owned. It is an opportunity to reflect on how colleges can shape, rather than just respond, to the ever changing and evolving landscape.
Venue: Wigan & Leigh College
Monday 11 May 2026
16:00 - 17:00 | Arrivals, networking and registration
17:00 - 19:00 | Opening meeting discussion
18:30 - 19:00 | Experiential session
19:00 - 21:30 | Dinner at Wigan & Leigh College
Tuesday 12 May 2026
09:00 - 15:00 | Network Meeting
Dress Code: Smart Business Casual
Accommodation & Coach Transfers
Accommodation is not included. The recommended hotel is the MacDonald Kilhey Court hotel. We have an agreed rate of £82.00 bed & breakfast at this hotel.
Coach transportation will operate between the Wigan & Leigh College and the MacDonald Kilhey Court hotel. Details of the transfer times will be included on the website (coming soon) and will be listed in the final information sent prior to the network meeting.