New partnership to power up careers for Stockport College students

Students at Trafford & Stockport College Group are set to benefit from a major new partnership with the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology (GMIoT).

This landmark initiative brings together some of the region’s best colleges, universities and global employers to deliver world-class technical education.

The GMIoT is designed to put Greater Manchester at the forefront of skills and innovation, with leading industry names such as Siemens, Laing O’Rourke and GCHQ working alongside education providers to shape courses that meet the needs of fast-growing industries.

Through this partnership, students at Trafford & Stockport College Group will gain access to industry-aligned technical qualifications co-designed with employers, ensuring direct relevance to emerging and future job markets. This collaboration empowers learners to pursue high-value career pathways in sectors such as construction, engineering, digital technologies, and cyber security. Enhanced by state-of-the-art facilities and immersive, real-world learning environments, the initiative equips students with in-demand skills, industry insight and connections that make a real difference when starting their careers. It will also provide employers with a pipeline of workforce-ready talent prepared to meet the evolving demands of the modern economy.

Carmen Gonzalez-Eslava (pictured right), Group Principal of Trafford & Stockport College Group, said:

“This partnership marks a significant step forward in how we prepare our students for the world of work. The GMIoT brings education and industry closer together, ensuring the skills we teach are those employers truly value. By combining the strengths of local colleges with the innovation of global businesses, we’re creating programmes that raise aspirations and open tangible career pathways. For our students, it means learning in environments shaped by leading technology companies and seeing a clear route from the classroom into Greater Manchester’s fast-growing construction, engineering and digital sectors. It’s about giving every student the chance to thrive.”

Claire Foreman (left), Director of the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology, said:

“Welcoming Trafford & Stockport College Group as one of our education partners will expand our reach across the region, enabling us to create even more opportunities for young people across the whole of Greater Manchester. At GMIoT, we work closely with Greater Manchester’s leading employers to design courses that give students advanced technical knowledge and the real-world insight that’s invaluable in today’s job market. This is particularly vital at the moment, as we see continued growth and investment into industry across the region, including the major MIX Manchester development at Manchester Airport, which will unlock thousands of highly skilled jobs in the future.”

The Greater Manchester Institute of Technology is part of a national network of Institutes of Technology backed by the Department for Education, each designed to transform technical education. Together, they are helping to close the UK’s skills gap while offering students a clear route into the industries that will shape the future economy.