City of Bristol College has welcomed the launch of Colleges West and Universities West, marking a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration across Further and Higher Education to support learners, employers and the future prosperity of the West of England.
The partnerships bring together colleges and universities from across the region with a shared ambition to create a more connected education and skills system that responds to the needs of local communities and businesses. By working more closely together, members will help to develop stronger pathways into education, training and employment while supporting regional economic growth.
Building on the launch of Colleges West earlier this year, the introduction of Universities West further strengthens collaboration across the education sector, creating new opportunities for institutions to align their work with employers, industry and regional partners.
Rob Hazelton, Managing Director of Partners in Bristol and Strategic Partnerships at City of Bristol College, attended the launch and highlighted the importance of partnership working.
He commented: “It was fantastic to attend the launch of Colleges West and Universities West and to see such strong commitment to collaboration across Further and Higher Education in the region.
“I am a huge believer in organisations working together where there is a shared purpose and these partnerships feel like a really positive step in strengthening our collective voice.
“By collaborating more closely across colleges, universities, employers and regional partners, we can better support learners, businesses and communities, while making sure that the skills system across the West of England is joined up, ambitious and responsive to what the region needs. City of Bristol College is proud to be part of that.”
Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Julia Gray, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting both learners and the regional economy.
She stated: “The launch of Colleges West and Universities West marks a significant step forward for education and skills across the West of England.
“As colleges and universities, we have a shared responsibility to help secure the future prosperity of our region. That means ensuring current and future residents can access high-quality education and training, while also working with employers to develop the skills, talent and innovation they need to grow.
“For City of Bristol College, this partnership is about looking beyond individual institutions and focusing on the long-term needs of the place we serve. By aligning Further and Higher Education more closely, we can create clearer pathways for learners, stronger support for employers and a more resilient skills system for the West of England.”
The strengthened collaboration between Colleges West and Universities West will help to ensure that the region’s education providers continue to work collectively to address skills priorities, support employers and create opportunities that benefit learners and communities across the West of England.
