The University of Cumbria and Education Partnership North East have signed an agreement they say will benefit students and employers across the North East and Cumbria.
The strategic alliance agreement builds on an already successful partnership between the two organisations, they added, and will “significantly enhance their portfolios of academic programmes”.
This, they said, will develop new progression opportunities for students and establish new opportunities for employers to access training and qualifications to enhance the skills and expertise of their workforce.
The partnership will introduce new programmes in digital technology, engineering, health and business.
University of Cumbria vice chancellor, Professor Julie Mennell said: “Equipping our young people, county and wider region and employers with the higher-level skills and capabilities to meet current and future challenges and opportunities is the most significant aspect of our university’s mission.
“Never has this been so important: for our young people, for our region and for our economy.
“Our new strategic alliance with Education Partnership North East will help us to extend our reach and impact further, working together to enhance the portfolio offer and the opportunities available for our students.
“I am delighted we have signed this agreement and look forward to working with Education Partnership North East over the coming years as we jointly realise our development ambitions.”
Chief Executive of Education Partnership North East, Ellen Thinnesen, said: “Over several months the University of Cumbria has worked with our senior team to articulate a strategic alliance that will enhance diversity of student choice, access to and participation within a number of careers focussed higher education pathways.
“At a time when educational institutions must increasingly collaborate to support economic recovery, this development couldn’t have come at a better time.
“I am genuinely delighted that along with employer partners, our strategic alliance will support students in some of the most disadvantaged parts of our region to benefit from the life changing experience of higher education.”
Education Partnership North East (EPNE) is a dynamic partnership between Sunderland College, Hartlepool Sixth Form and Northumberland College and one of the largest college groups in the country.
With more than 21,500 student enrolments, six college campuses and several satellite delivery centres situated entirely within the North East region, Education Partnership North East serves the area spanning from Berwick-upon-Tweed to the Tees Valley.
