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Suffolk New College celebrates 100th industry partnership

News
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Ipswich's only independent news website

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Suffolk New College has reached a milestone in its industry partnership programme, with local financial advisory firm Becketts becoming the 100th company to join the scheme.

Why it matters: The partnership programme, launched two years ago, helps prepare thousands of local students for their future careers by connecting them directly with businesses in East Anglia.

By the numbers:

  • 100 businesses now signed up to the programme

  • Each company commits to at least 3 college engagements per year

  • The college currently supports 3,000 young people

  • 1,500 adults and 850 apprentices also benefit

  • Target of 50 more business sign-ups for 2025

Steve Flory, Ian White, Kayleigh Norris, Mary Gleave, Marianne Flack, Tony West and Alan Pease
Steve Flory, Ian White, Kayleigh Norris, Mary Gleave, Marianne Flack, Tony West and Alan PeaseSuffolk New College

How it works: Partner companies pledge to work with students throughout the year, offering insights into various industries and helping prepare them for employment. Activities include career talks, mentoring and participation in college events.

What they're saying:

"We have already been to the college and chatted to students about financial planning, getting on the property ladder and looking at budgeting," says Tony West, senior financial planner at Becketts Investment Management Group.

"It's a mutually beneficial partnership scheme. Businesses get to know and work with our learners who are their future employees, and it's become a real community," says Kayleigh Norris, partnership programme manager at Suffolk New CollegeĀ ."

"It's important for people who are going through the education process to have access to the business world. To get to 100 partners so quickly is unbelievable," said lead industry partner, recently-appointed Ipswich Central chairman and former Suffolk New College student Steve Flory.

What's next: The college aims to expand the programme further. "Our aim is to encourage 50 more businesses to sign up in 2025 ā€“ and looking ahead, the potential for this is limitless," says Alan PeaseĀ , principal and CEO of Suffolk New College.

Bottom line: The programme creates a bridge between education and industry in Suffolk, with local businesses playing an active role in developing their future workforce while students gain valuable real-world insights and connections.

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One man's mission to preserve Ipswich's transport heritage

Feature
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As our transport landscape continues its rapid evolution, one local enthusiast has embarked on a remarkable journey to preserve a piece of Ipswich's recent history.

Bus preservation in Britain has come a long way since 1956, when four pioneering enthusiasts purchased their first historic London bus for a mere Ā£40. Today, more than 5,000 preserved buses grace our nation's roads, each telling its own story of public transport's evolution.

This story begins with fleet number 147, an Optare Versa bus that once ferried countless passengers between London Road and Martlesham park and ride sites.

Now, this former Ipswich Buses workhorse has found a new home, rescued from potential obscurity for Ā£4,000, by Jake Gooding, a local bus enthusiast and now proud preservationist.

I have to say, Ā£4,000 for a fully-operational bus feels like an absolute bargain when compared to the cost of a half-decent SUV nowadays.

After becoming sidetracked (a common occurance for me) and going down a potentially divorce-inducing rabbit hole, exploring the idea of a "News Bus" in Ipswich, I got back to the task in hand.

"Indeed, prices of single deck buses are usually around the Ā£2,500 range for a second hand one, and double deckers are usually around Ā£4,000-Ā£5,000, Jake informed me.

"The reason why ours was a little expensive is because it has a range of mod cons like air-conditioning, next stop announcementsĀ capabilitiesĀ etc."

Optare Versa fleet number 147
Optare Versa fleet number 147Jake Gooding

Jake's vision includes restoring the vehicle to its former Ipswich Buses glory, complete with period livery. It's a labour of love that will demand dedication and expense, with annual running costs of around Ā£500 and regular maintenance to keep the bus roadworthy.

The Optare Versa itself has an interesting technical history. Originally fitted with a MAN engine, it later received a Cummins power unit during its service life with Ipswich Buses. These engineering changes reflect the practical realities of keeping a hardworking public service vehicle on the road.

If all goes according to plan, this piece of Ipswich's transport heritage will make its preserved debut at The Big Bus Show at Stonham Barns in August 2025. There, it will stand (park?) proud as a testament to our town's transport heritage and the dedication of those who work to preserve it.

Jake Gooding
Jake GoodingJake Gooding

Some might question why anyone would want to preserve such a relatively modern vehicle. Yet in an era of rapid technological change, where tomorrow's buses might be unrecognisable from today's, preserving examples of recent transport history becomes increasingly important.

Fleet number 147's story didn't end when it left Ipswich Buses' service in November 2020. Instead, it's beginning a new chapter ā€“ one that will help ensure that future generations can appreciate how their parents and grandparents travelled around our town.

You can follow the project via its dedicated Facebook page.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just Ā£24 per year

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