A unique partnership involving the ten largest colleges in Greater Manchester has successfully secured a European funded bid worth £14m, which will play a critical role in ensuring that the region has a skilled and educated population.
As reported here in June, the Greater Manchester Colleges Group consists of Bury, Bolton, Hopwood Hall, Manchester, Oldham, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan & Leigh – who have now established a joint venture company making it the first of its kind in a city region.
Chairs and Principals of each of the Colleges who recently signed a collaboration agreement marking the establishment of the joint venture company.
Jointly the 10 colleges contribute more than £500m to the Greater Manchester economy each year and the new partnership is now exploring ways of becoming more efficient by sharing services and therefore stripping out costs.
Tameside College principal, Peter Ryder, is the Group’s chair and said:
“As a group we will be continuing to work with local and regional employers to bring a greater emphasis on enterprise, entrepreneurialism and innovative thinking to the education sector.
“We aim to build capacity and excellence by developing existing provision and pulling together the expertise and specialist skills from all of the colleges involved.”
Since 2010, the Principals of the ten colleges have worked closely to explore the benefits of such a partnership to inspire their students, industry partners and local communities.
The Group represents and promotes the Further Education sector within Greater Manchester and with colleges contributing more than £500million to the Greater Manchester economy each year; they play a key role in securing the region’s economic wellbeing.
Tameside College Principal, Peter Ryder, is the Group’s Chair and said:
“As a Group we will be continuing to work with local and regional employers to bring a greater emphasis on enterprise, entrepreneurialism and innovative thinking to the education sector.
“We aim to build capacity and excellence by developing existing provision and pulling together the expertise and specialist skills from all of the Colleges involved.
“This latest development is testament to the optimism we have for the future, and our shared belief in the positive benefits for learners and the wider community of our working closely together.”
Robin Newton-Syms, the Group’s Partnership Director, said:
“Our aim is to use the new company to attract more funding into Greater Manchester and facilitate work with other organisations.
“We already have strong links with the Chamber of Commerce, private sector training providers, local authorities and the voluntary sector which is helping employers develop the skills of their workers.
“The potential now is for colleges to help shape the future of businesses, by offering effective training solutions and skills development which will enable them to grow.”