90 Years of Education

This year the Co-operative College celebrates 90 years of co-operative education and training.

Established in 1919 as an adult and staff training centre for the co-operative movement, the College attracted students from co-operatives both in the UK and abroad. The college gained a reputation as a national and international educational institution, as students from former colonies and Commonwealth countries attended.

The College has been a pioneer in developing high quality education provision for co-operatives throughout its history and following its establishment Co-operative Colleges were quickly replicated across the world.

Education has always been highly valued within the co-operative movement, with the Rochdale Pioneers spending a proportion of their surplus on providing elementary education for semi-literate adults. They funded libraries and led courses in co-operation, giving people the opportunity to engage in free-thinking debate. Education has also been used and campaigned for within the co-operative movement to address class and gender inequalities.

 Today the College provides learning, education, training, consultancy and research for the co-operative mutual and social enterprise sectors in the UK and internationally. It also works with schools, young people and public bodies, raising the awareness of the difference co-operatives and co-operative values can make to individuals and their communities. Current projects include Fair and Square and Young Co-operatives.