[1] The building where the college is on Infirmary Road started life as a cheese factory in 1841 before it became Chesterfield and Brampton Mechanics' Institute.

From the late 1940s until the early 1960s the building housed all the facilities for Construction trades training up to City and Guilds Final Examinations.

It also ran courses in vehicle refinishing, industrial painting, signwriting and upholstery techniques in buildings at the Hasland site, where students attended one full day and two nights for four years.

The College still offers a wide range of open and flexible learning courses for people who have home commitments such as caring responsibilities and want to study at home, shift workers who cannot attend classes, those who would like to update their qualifications or people who want to gain further qualifications.

A smaller campus is at the Queen's Park Leisure Centre The college has a satellite site in Derby.

Chesterfield College has been awarded Learning and Skills Beacon Status for excellence in community-based education.