A long-standing partnership between Plymouth’s two largest education providers, City College Plymouth and the University of Plymouth, was celebrated on Tuesday 18 June.
The new era for the relationship represents a mutual strategic commitment to the people of Plymouth and the surrounding area, with a clear focus on their respective work with industry and employers, alongside their civic engagement. At the heart of the collaboration is the drive to support the local economy through education and skills development.
The collaboration aims to meet the needs of local employers, ensuring that students are equipped with relevant skills for the job market. By working together, City College Plymouth and the University of Plymouth will continue to focus on raising aspirations and improving attainment in schools, and expanding access to higher education, providing more opportunities for the people of Plymouth. Knowledge exchange, research collaboration, and access to new funding opportunities will also be facilitated as part of the partnership.
Jackie Grubb, Chief Executive of City College Plymouth, said: “The College’s partnership with the University of Plymouth began with just eight higher education students in 1991. It has since grown to support thousands of degree-level students annually and nearly 18,000 degree-level qualifications have been awarded through our collaboration.
She continued, “As a College, we are committed to expanding access to higher education and providing more opportunities for students in Plymouth. We’re delighted to continue working alongside the University to support the needs of our community and ensure a prosperous future for our city, together.”
Professor Judith Petts DBE, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Plymouth, expressed her enthusiasm for the strengthened partnership: “Whilst the University works with many academic partners, our relationship with City College Plymouth has always been among the most important.
“We are close neighbours in every sense, with shared values and a deep commitment to the people of Plymouth and the surrounding area. I am delighted to have signed this MOU that strengthens and extends our collaboration as two of the city’s key institutions, with a mutual strategic commitment to industry, employers and civic engagement through our employees, learners, and communities.”
This collaboration aims to create a thriving educational ecosystem that benefits both current and future generations, ensuring that the community of Plymouth can flourish and adapt to the evolving landscape of both education and employment.
