New network of Technical University Institutes set to transform routes into legal and financial profession
New education and business partnership aims to create higher level technical qualifications for professional services sector.
The UWTSD Group, which includes Coleg Ceredigion and Coleg Sir Gâr, and leading Further Education colleges CAVC Group, NPTC Group of Colleges, Pembrokeshire College are set to transform routes into law, accountancy, HR and business leadership.
The university and colleges will provide novel qualifications to enable new and existing employees to commence careers in routes traditionally associated with university undergraduate degree and postgraduate professional programmes. Careers in the sector offer employment at rates commonly above the average wage in Wales and have been highlighted by the Welsh Government as a priority sector for investment.
Utilising a new network of University of Wales Technical Institutes, the partners are commencing the development of the new qualifications through a series of employer engagement workshops across south and west Wales.
The workshops, taking place in Llanelli, Swansea and Cardiff will allow businesses and employers from the professional services sector to share information to ensure that their views on the future of skills are heard and taken on board.
Anne Smith, Managing Partner at Welshpool solicitors, Harrisons said, “Our firm employs diverse and highly skilled staff who have served the people and businesses of Mid Wales and Shropshire for over 170 years. To continue to do this we need to recruit and retain the best talent available. By engaging with the new Technical University Institutes, we hope to secure our future as a business and to continue to support local people for decades to come.”
The Technical University Institutes will deliver new opportunities for higher technical education and employer-led training and innovation. The network will ensure parity of esteem between vocational and higher-level education. Working within a confederal structure, the partnership is informed by the needs of employers and aims to promote equality of opportunity and encourage participation in tertiary education.
Speaking on behalf of the five FE colleges, Mike James CEO of Cardiff and Vale College said, “We are already exploring ways in which this new network can introduce vocational pathways into the field of law. This new route complements our existing work in accountancy and partnerships with companies such as Deloitte.”
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wales and UWTSD, Professor Medwin Hughes, DL, concluded, “The University of Wales Technical Institutes and the range of new qualifications offered is part of our continued commitment to the people of Wales. Through engaging directly with employers and businesses, we will ensure that they have access to world-class education and training. The agreement between the University of Wales, UWTSD and its FE partners is a milestone in the journey of both higher and further education. Together the universities and colleges are responding to the Welsh Government’s vision to create a single post compulsory education sector for Wales.”
Here are the dates for each event. If you’d like further information please conact j.walker@uwtsd.ac.uk
Llanelli (Y Graig Campus) – 30th January (9am-11am)
Swansea (IQ SA1) – 30th January (5pm-7pm)
Cardiff (Cardiff and Vale College) – 31st January (9am- 11am)
Further Information
Arwel Lloyd
Principal PR and Communications Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: arwel.lloyd@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467076