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NTU and Arc Partnership: Driving talent, innovation, and sustainability

Arc Partnership is a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE. It provides services such as property design, consultancy, master planning, regeneration, project and programme management, emergency and reactive services, compliance and asset management and planned maintenance for the Council.
Employees of NTU and Arc Partnership signing strategic partnership agreement

The partnership, which began in 2022, is now in its second term and focuses on societal and regional collaboration, including gaining insights and local connections to understand the East Midlands regeneration and built environment landscape.

Partnering with NTU allows Arc Partnership to benefit from academic expertise, cutting edge research, and a skilled graduate talent pipeline to strengthen its operations and strategic aims.

Why this partnership Matters

The partnership plays a key role in supporting education, creating local jobs, and promoting sustainability through:

Developing future talent

Arc Partnership is committed to supporting the next generation of Built Environment professionals by offering student placements and graduate roles in disciplines such as Architecture and Architectural Technology, with additional opportunities in areas such as Commercial Management, Surveying, Procurement, and Engineering Design. Discussions are also underway about offering placements within businesses in Arc Partnership’s wider supply chain, broadening the options for students.

Decarbonisation of construction and buildings in Nottinghamshire

NTU will host the Carbon Reduction Code for the Built Environment, a supply chain maturity standard for businesses focused on carbon reduction. Arc Partnership will apply this code in its regional projects, especially through how it works with suppliers and sets procurement standards. Arc Partnership will also help lead a local steering group of professionals and technical experts, linking in with the UK national steering group. This initiative will offer practical opportunities like internships and research projects, making use of CarboniCA, Morgan Sindall's Life Cycle Assessment tool, to help design buildings with a lower carbon footprint.

Building Healthy, Safe, Resilient Communities

Arc Partnership is focused on making Nottinghamshire greener and helping communities thrive. This means investing in local skills and jobs, encouraging sustainable practices, and supporting the well-being and resilience of local people.

Key areas of collaboration

Developing the next generation of industry professionals

NTU and Arc Partnership are working together to create meaningful career pathways for students, equipping them with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the construction and built environment sectors. Our strategic partnership focuses on addressing industry skills shortages and supporting Nottinghamshire’s transition to net zero. Through placements, mentoring, and industry collaborations, NTU students gain invaluable insights and practical experience, ensuring they are ready to contribute to the future workforce.

Supporting entrepreneurship

Through initiatives like the EDI Matters Competition, Arc Partnership has played a key role in supporting NTU students to develop creative and forward-thinking ideas around equality, diversity, and inclusion. The competition provides a platform for students to present research and solutions that promote a more inclusive built environment, ensuring that future industry leaders are equipped with the mindset and skills to drive positive change.

NTU academic introducing the event in front of an audience

Find out about the EDI Matters Competition

Supporting our students

The annual Architecture Exchange is another way NTU and Arc Partnership work together to prepare students for professional careers. This event brings together students, alumni, and industry leaders, providing an invaluable opportunity for networking, career advice, and knowledge-sharing. By connecting students with professionals, we help bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring graduates are equipped with both technical expertise and industry connections.

Accessing academic expertise

Sustainability is at the heart of our collaboration. NTU’s Centre for Sustainable Construction and Retrofit, launched with a £1.5 million investment, is helping to shape the future of the construction sector. With a strong focus on innovation and skills development, this initiative aligns closely with Arc Partnership’s commitment to improving the sustainability and efficiency of public sector property portfolios. Together, we are working towards practical solutions for net zero challenges, ensuring a more sustainable built environment for future generations.

Get in touch

We are always looking for new ways to collaborate. If you are interested in working with NTU to develop talent, support entrepreneurship, or access academic expertise, get in touch today.

Katrina Woodward

Strategic Partnership Manager

Knowledge Exchange Dept.