An innovative new Further Education and Sixth Form Colleges partnership launched this week on 24 September in order to enhance skills development and boost economic growth; for some 50,000 learners across the West.
Bringing a host of new, forward-thinking opportunities with it, Colleges West will improve lives and promote widespread benefits for communities across the region.
Colleges West will represent five individual leading academic institutions – City of Bristol College, St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, Bath College and Weston College. This allows for a united front for Further and Sixth Form education as well as supporting work being led by Helen Godwin, West of England Mayor, as she seeks to drive economic growth in the area.
With a combined annual turnover of £215 million and links to more than 6,700 employers, the region’s five colleges deliver stellar education and training. They are also major regional employers, boasting more than 3,380 employees across the board.
The Principals behind the partnership began meeting earlier this year to strengthen alignment between colleges, employers and national and local Government departments. The partnership will also play a key role in relation to skills on the region’s new Business Board.
The five academic institutions operate on the foundations of shared goals surrounding skills development, community engagement and educational excellence. Colleges West aims to amplify opportunities for learners, strengthen regional partnerships and support the economic growth of the West of England.
Talking of the initiative, Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Julia Gray commented: “Colleges West is an incredibly exciting new partnership allowing for collaboration in the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority area. It will see our colleges work more closely together to enhance the quality of Further Education for the 50,000 students currently enrolled in our colleges and for future students in our region.
“Further Education will continue to play a critical role in delivering economic growth and vibrant communities in our region and Colleges West will work closely with national and regional Governments to ensure alignment and delivery of our shared objectives.
“This will further strengthen the critical role that colleges play in delivering economic growth, social mobility and stronger communities. By working together, our colleges can better support Government and employers to ensure the West of England has the skills it needs to thrive.”
Helen Godwin, the Mayor of the West of England, added: “This new partnership will back skills and back growth. Our colleges and sixth forms give learners the opportunity to achieve their goals at all stages of life and working together with Colleges West in this new chapter for our wider region, we can show everyone how they can be part of a bright future.
“In the week that the new regional Growth Strategy for the coming decade was launched, it’s right to have education and skills front and centre.”
