NPTC Group of Colleges awarded 2026 Princess Royal Training Award for sustainable fashion initiative

NPTC Group of Colleges has been awarded a 2026 Princess Royal Training Award in recognition of its specialized staff development programme focused on sustainability, ethical fashion, and circular design.

The educational institution was acknowledged for its faculty training initiative, which facilitated the launch of a Level 3 Sustainable Fashion qualification and its subsequent expansion into Level 1 and 2 provisions. Established by the City & Guilds Foundation, the annual award identifies organizations that demonstrate a measurable correlation between employee development and broader operational and social impact.

The college’s curriculum was developed through a collaborative partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Fashion at the London College of Fashion, making it the first further education institution in the UK to co-create a bespoke training package with the research center.

Localized industry projects

This targeted faculty upskilling has driven significant operational expansion, directly contributing to a successful Shared Prosperity Fund bid that financed the creation of the new Newtown Fashion and Textiles Academy. The practical application of this training has also resulted in localized industry projects, including a Working with Wool program and a live design brief producing garments for the agricultural mental health charity, The DPJ Foundation.

By formalizing sustainability training for educators, NPTC Group of Colleges is actively addressing a critical skills deficit within the domestic fashion supply chain. Embedding circular design principles at the foundational vocational level ensures that emerging talent is equipped to navigate shifting environmental regulations and commercial demands before progressing to higher education or the workforce.

This strategic focus bolsters the college's viability as a regional training hub while offering a scalable framework for integrating climate-conscious technical skills into fashion curricula across the broader education sector.