How CRC and Inspire 2 Ignite Work Together To Support Our Local Community of Learners

For the final day of #CollegesWeek2026, we’re celebrating the dedicated college staff and key partners that help to support learners across local communities. CRC works closely with Inspire 2 Ignite, a community interest company in Cambridgeshire, to provide practical education and training opportunities for young people. Christine Griffey, Director of Inspire 2 Ignite, tells us more.

Can you tell us a bit about what Inspire 2 Ignite does, and what role it plays in the local community?

Inspire 2 Ignite is a Community Interest Company that works with young people aged 12–24 to help them develop the skills, confidence, and networks they need to build successful and fulfilling futures for themselves. Our work focuses particularly on those who may be disengaged from education or at risk of becoming NEET.

We do this by creating programmes and experiences that connect young people with real opportunities in the world of work. Through partnerships with schools, employers, colleges, and community organisations, we provide industry experiences, entrepreneurial programmes, mentoring, and personal development opportunities that help young people explore their interests and develop essential skills.

Within the local community, our role is often to bring different partners together to create meaningful opportunities for young people. By connecting education providers, businesses, and community organisations, we help ensure that young people can access experiences and pathways that may otherwise feel out of reach.

How do Inspire 2 Ignite and Cambridge Regional College work together to support the community?

Inspire 2 Ignite and Cambridge Regional College share a strong commitment to supporting people in our community to develop the skills and opportunities they need for the future.

By working together, we are able to combine practical education with real-world experiences. Cambridge Regional College provides high-quality training and qualifications that help learners build the technical skills needed for employment, while Inspire 2 Ignite focuses on connecting young people with industry, helping them explore different sectors and understand the pathways available to them.

This collaborative approach helps create a more joined-up ecosystem of support, ensuring that young people and young adults can access both the training and the real-world insight needed to move confidently into employment or further opportunities.

Could you share any recent success stories or examples where local people have benefited from the support and services that Inspire and CRC offer?

A great example is the Curious About Construction Trailblazer Programme, where Inspire 2 Ignite and Cambridge Regional College are working together to help young people explore careers in the construction industry.

The partnership combines the strengths of both organisations. Cambridge Regional College provides practical training and qualifications, including CSCS cards, forklift training, and additional CPD modules that equip young people with the technical skills required to enter the sector. Alongside this, Inspire 2 Ignite connects participants with real-world employer experiences, giving them the opportunity to see how different construction businesses operate and understand the variety of roles available within the industry.

The results have been really encouraging. Several young people have successfully achieved their CSCS certification and forklift training and have progressed into employment opportunities within the construction industry. For many participants, the programme has not only provided the qualifications needed for entry-level roles but also the confidence, industry awareness, and connections to take their first steps into a career.

How important is access to Adult Education for your local community?

Access to adult education is incredibly important for our community, particularly for young adults who may not have thrived in traditional education environments.

Not every young person’s journey is straightforward, and many need a second chance to develop their skills, confidence, and direction. Having a supportive further education provider like Cambridge Regional College makes a huge difference. Their approach is collaborative, practical, and focused on helping people move forward rather than judging where they may have struggled previously.

By working together, we can help young people and young adults access the training and qualifications they need, while also supporting them with the confidence and real-world experiences that help them see what is possible. When education providers, community organisations, and employers work together in this way, it creates more accessible and supportive pathways for people to build meaningful careers and contribute positively to their communities.

Thank you, Christine!

CRC has a wide range of training courses that help learners build the confidence and gain the skills to enter the workplace. Take a look at our Employability courses here.