8 September 2026
As conversations continue around social mobility, youth employment, skills development and access to education, a new Heritage Open Days event will shine a light on Nottingham’s rich educational and employment heritage, exploring how opportunities created in the past continue to shape lives today.
On Saturday 12 September, from 10am to 3pm, Skills and Education Group will host a Heritage Open Days event in collaboration with the Boots Archive and Nottingham College‘s historic Adams Building.
Skills and Education Group was founded in 1912 to address educational gaps and widen access to education, helping people gain the skills needed for work in the East Midlands. The organisation has grown and adapted to meet changing educational needs, but more than a century later, many of the same themes remain at the heart of national discussions, with education, employability and social mobility continuing to shape opportunities for future generations.
This specially curated exhibition brings together materials from the Skills and Education Group Archive and the Boots Archive to explore how social, cultural and economic change has influenced education and employment across Nottingham and beyond. The exhibition celebrates our shared histories and, through stories, photographs, documents and artefacts, visitors will discover how everyday education heroes opened doors for others and helped shape communities over generations.
"The idea for taking part in Heritage Open Days came from a desire to share the remarkable stories held within the Skills and Education Group archive. For more than a century, individuals and organisations have worked to open doors to education, skills and employment opportunities, and their legacy remains relevant today. "
"This exhibition celebrates Nottingham's rich heritage, from the city's textiles and lace industry, reflected in the history of the Adams Building, to the retail innovation and employment opportunities created by Boots. These stories demonstrate how education, skills and industry have always been connected.
Today, that connection remains just as important. Nottingham College continues to develop industry-relevant skills, while Skills and Education Group creates qualifications that support progression into learning and employment, including sectors that reflect our local heritage. Together, colleges, employers and awarding organisations help create opportunities, support social mobility and develop the skills that employers need.
This exhibition celebrates the partnerships that have opened doors for generations of learners and highlights the importance of collaboration in supporting future talent and strengthening our communities."
“We are delighted to be partnering with Skills & Education Group for Heritage Open Day this September. With a shared and enduring passion for workplace opportunities through education, we welcome this chance to showcase our legacy. Throughout our history, Boots has championed continuing education and has sought to adapt its offer to the ever-shifting workforce landscape.”
Visitors of all ages are encouraged to attend and discover how Nottingham’s educational and employment heritage continues to shape opportunities today.
The free event offers a unique opportunity to engage with Nottingham’s hidden educational and employment heritage through a range of interactive displays, archive collections and guided tours.
Images from the Heritage Open Days Exhibition 2025
Five Key Event Highlights
Journey Through Time
Explore a timeline spanning the early 1900s to the present day, showcasing how Skills and Education Group and Boots helped create opportunities for learners and workers, while reflecting the wider historical events that shaped Nottingham and the region.
A Wider Social and Cultural Perspective
Discover the social and cultural developments that influenced education, employment and community life, providing context for the contributions made by both organisations over the last century.
Celebrating Everyday Education Heroes
At the heart of the exhibition are the individuals who helped open doors for others through education, training and employment. From past pioneers to present-day educators, visitors can explore the lasting impact of their work.
Interactive Archives
Experience history through traditional archive displays, digital flipbooks, film content and hands-on activities. Visitors can even try using an Edwardian certificate press and engage with a range of family-friendly activities.
Adams Building Tours
Take a guided tour of Nottingham College’s historic Adams Building and discover its connection to the city’s world-famous lace industry. Learn how the building evolved from a centre of manufacturing into a place of learning, where textile skills continue to be taught today.
Event Information
Event: Opening Doors: The Extraordinary Impact of Everyday Education Heroes
Date: Saturday 12 September
Time: 10:00am to 3:00pm
Venue: Adams Building, Nottingham College, Nottingham
Admission: Free
Find out more about the event here.
