Education and training partnership will provide employers with ‘one-stop shop’

Teesside University is partnering with one of the UK’s largest training and education specialists to provide businesses with access to a broad portfolio of qualifications to meet business needs.

The strategic partnership with Learning Curve Group will position the University as its higher education provider of choice.

This means that employers working with both organisations will have easy access to qualifications ranging from Level 1 GCSE qualifications, or equivalent, through to post-graduate degrees. A one-stop shop for all their training needs, taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the apprenticeship levy.

Teesside University has an established reputation for being responsive to the needs of industry and delivering the solutions that help business.

The University works closely with businesses to co-create programmes, ranging from non-accredited courses to degree apprenticeships to post-graduate qualifications, which ensure students are learning the necessary skills to make an impact in the workplace.

Learning Curve Group, based in Spennymoor, County Durham, was founded in 2004 and is a national training, education and recruitment specialist working with around 4,500 employers each year to delivering training and qualifications to more than 100,000 learners every year.

Its services include recruitment, learning resource publishing, fully-funded training, apprenticeships and employability programmes.

This arrangement will provide a natural synergy with the Higher and Degree Apprenticeships portfolio offered by Teesside University, the Higher Apprenticeships recently being graded as ‘Outstanding’ following an Ofsted inspection.

Professor Jane Turner OBE DL, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Business Engagement), said: 'We are delighted to be working together with Learning Curve Group. It is an ambitious organisation with an exciting vision, clearly passionate and dedicated to the skills agenda, so our values and priorities are very much aligned.

'This partnership nicely complements the existing Teesside University College partnership with Darlington, Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton Riverside Colleges, ensuring we are perfectly placed to plug the skills gaps and training needs across all levels of industry.'

Brenda McLeish, Chief Executive of Learning Curve Group, said: 'This new strategic partnership with Teesside University is a template for how Higher Education and training providers can work in synergy to provide employers with a highly-comprehensive level of support.

'As business and industry evolves it is essential that all areas of training and education can collaborate and share opportunities to ensure companies can remain competitive in local, national and international markets by attracting and retaining skilled and talented people.'

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