23 June 2010
University signs agreement to support life-long learning
Students in Sheffield, who are currently studying for vocational or work-based courses at local colleges, are set to benefit from two new University of Sheffield and Higher Futures Progression Agreements, which aim to transform access to learning in the city.
The new agreements, which were signed at a launch event at the Ridge in the University´s Ranmoor Village this week (21 June 2010), will support learners currently studying vocational courses in the region, and help them to progress onto Higher Education and specifically to the University of Sheffield.
Higher Futures is the Lifelong Learning network for the local region, encompassing South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire. The aim of this network is to bring together colleges and universities, providing opportunities for the development and progression of vocational-based students.
Higher Futures identified five occupational sectors as a priority in order to develop a range of initiatives to address gaps in current progression to Higher Education and to support the economic needs in the South Yorkshire region. The University of Sheffield focused on three of these sectors; Engineering, Health & Social Care and Sustainable Communities, and Progression Agreements have now been signed with the Faculties of Engineering and Medicine, Dentistry and Health.
The Progression Agreements provide a more formal arrangement through which vocational learners from the region can gain support from and progress to certain degree programmes offered by the two Faculties at the University of Sheffield.
Professor Paul White, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching at the University of Sheffield, said: "These Progression Agreements mark the University of Sheffield's continuing commitment to the city of Sheffield and the wider region of South Yorkshire. They actually take us back to the early days of the University, 100 years ago, when a major aspect of the new University's role was to support local students whose backgrounds lay in the industries of the city. Vocational routes into Higher Education are still today as relevant as they were then." Notes for Editors: The Higher Futures network was set up in 2006 and is one of many LLNs operating in each region across the country. The network includes Barnsley College, Chesterfield College, Dearne Valley College, Doncaster College, Longley Park Sixth Form College, North Nottinghamshire College, Northern College, Rotherham College of Arts and Technology, The Sheffield College, Sheffield Hallam University, Thomas Rotherham College and the University of Sheffield.
For further information please contact: Lauren Anderson, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2221046 or email l.h.anderson@sheffield.ac.uk
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