Partnership Provides Exclusive Opportunities for Progressing Learners

The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology (SSIOT) today announces an exclusive formal arrangement for Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) HNC/D Leadership and Management (HTQ) learners looking to convert their qualifications into a full degree in one year.

NSCG learners completing HNC/D Leadership and Management (HTQ) programmes will now be able to gain direct entry on to a one-year, Level 6 top-up degree in Business and Management or Business and Finance with the Keele University Business School.

This brand new arrangement, developed as a result of collaborative partnership working, will provide a fantastic opportunity for learners who’ve shown good academic engagement throughout their studies to convert their HND qualification into a full degree in one academic year, opening up further opportunities for career development and progression.

This announcement demonstrates the strong mutual collaboration and commitment to develop flexible, affordable qualifications for people of all backgrounds. It is expected to be the first in a series of new one-year top-up courses from Keele University that will be made available to progressing SSIOT learners.

Commenting on announcement, Professor Mark Ormerod, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost of Keele University, said: “Strong partnerships such as this are vital to help bridge the gap between further and higher education, giving students excellent progression opportunities to achieve their higher education ambitions. It’s a hugely exciting time for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology with its new Hub in Stafford currently in development. Keele University is really proud of this partnership that will deliver fantastic opportunities in the higher technical skills and education sector that will go on to make a huge difference to our local community across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent and beyond.”

The government is investing up to £300m to establish a network of 21 Institutes of Technology (IoT). Designed to increase participation in higher technical education, Institutes of Technology bring together businesses and academia in a collaborative partnership to support the technical skills needs of the area they serve. Businesses are involved in the design and delivery of training, helping to shape the curriculum to suit their needs, thus ensuring they have access to a local technically skilled recruitment pool.

Georgina Barnard, Managing Director for the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology added: “By working in partnership with Keele University and employers, we ensure that the content of our courses and our delivery is relevant, forward thinking and mapped to the local area skills needs. As we look to widen participation in higher education, direct access to a one-year top-up degree in Business Management or Business Finance will be a fantastic, cost-effective proposition for many of our Level 5 learners who are looking to enhance their career and gain a full degree in just one year. We are excited for the possibilities that partnership working of this nature will bring.”

Find out more about the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Institute of Technology.