Manchester College and University of Salford form historic partnership

On Friday 15 October The Manchester College signed an agreement with the University of Salford to form one of the UK’s largest higher and further education partnerships.

The Greater Manchester City Region is an increasingly important focus for the work of national and local government, and it is planned that greater co-operation between the two education institutions will help to ensure that courses offered meet the knowledge and skills needs identified by the new Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) being formed within the region by members of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA).

Shared aims for the partnership include widening participation and improving higher education progression opportunities for The Manchester College’s learners to study at the University of Salford, particularly for individuals from under-represented and disadvantaged groups. In addition, the two institutions will explore the development of a federation model to represent the interests of all learners.

There will also be collaboration around the development of innovative curriculum, learning technologies and key research opportunities. Initial areas of joint working will include;

construction and the built environment
sustainability and the low carbon agenda
health and social care
policing
although there are no restrictions on areas for future collaboration.

Peter Tavernor, Principal of The Manchester College said: 'This agreement is of national importance. The University of Salford is a very large and important university and The Manchester College is the largest college and skills provider in the UK. Bringing the two organisations together in this partnership arrangement will result in a major educational powerhouse that will positively impact on regional economic development and will ultimately make a positive contribution to national GDP.'

Professor Martin Hall, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford, said: 'This is the beginning of an important new chapter in the history of further and higher education in the North West and wider UK.'

'The agreement we have signed demonstrates a shared commitment to develop further and higher education that meets the needs of the community and employers in the Greater Manchester city region. We are also aware of the benefits of a close working relationship to assure the best use of public money to support high quality education.'