Greater Manchester Colleges Group secures European funding

Derek O’Toole, Principal of Hopwood Hall College

Hopwood Hall College is part of a new joint venture company which has secured a £14 million European grant to help improve skills and qualifications in Greater Manchester.

The Greater Manchester Colleges Group, a unique partnership involving the ten largest colleges in Greater Manchester, aims to attract more funding to the area and ensure that the region has a skilled and educated population.

Principals of the ten colleges have been working closely since 2010 to explore the benefits of such a partnership to inspire their students, industry partners and local communities and Hopwood Hall College Principal, Derek O’Toole, is thrilled that the group has been given the official seal of approval. He comments: “We understand that by working together we can pool our resources and skills and help promote the importance of education and training within the community.

"It is important that we raise the bar in Greater Manchester and build on the essentials that are needed today with strong business links, entrepreneurialism and enterprise and that we work with local and regional employers to ensure that we help shape the future of our community.”

The Group represents and promotes the Further Education sector within Greater Manchester and, with colleges contributing more than £500million to the Greater Manchester economy each year, the Greater Manchester Colleges Group will play a key role in securing the region’s economic wellbeing.

Robin Newton-Syms, the Group’s Partnership Director, said: “Our aim is to use the new company to attract more funding into Greater Manchester and facilitate work with other organisations. We already have strong links with the Chamber of Commerce, private sector training providers, local authorities and the voluntary sector which is helping employers develop the skills of their workers.”