The University of Warwick is one of the leading Coventry and Warwickshire organisations which have joined together on a major project to support businesses across the region with education and training.

The Collaborate to Train Coventry and Warwickshire project is part funded by the European Social Fund, and aims to improve the ways in which education providers, local authorities and other stakeholders work together with businesses to provide high quality and effective education and training services in a more collaborative, user-led way.

The project, led by WCG (Warwickshire College Group), is especially targeted at small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and will look at ways to help them get involved in education and training, in particular through providing additional work experience placements, supported internships, apprenticeships and working with schools.

The three-year project is being delivered through a consortium of the major stakeholders in education, training and business engagement. Along with WCG and the University of Warwick, these are Coventry College, North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, Coventry University Social Enterprise, and Coventry City Council.

Warwickshire County Council is a strategic partner, and other local stakeholders such as business networks, schools and private training providers will also be involved to ensure the project has maximum impact.

Stephen Ward, Head of External Relations, Student Careers and Skills at the University of Warwick said, “We’re very pleased to be part of the Collaborate to Train project, and welcome the opportunity it gives us to work closely with our partner organisations across the region. We’re already seeing our relationships with these partners develop, and it’s a step change in the way education providers can help businesses grow.”

There are already over 50 small businesses benefiting from the project in its first few months. To find out more and to get involved fill in the employer enquiry form at www.wcg.ac.uk/collaboratetotrain, or contact any of the partners directly.

For more information on Collaborate to Train, visit:

warwick.ac.uk/services/careers/employers/employers/smes/collaboratetotrain

Notes to Editors
European Social Fund
The project receives funding from the European Social Fund (ESF) as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions is the Managing Authority for the England ESF programme. Established by the European Union ESF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, skills development, job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding

25 June 2018

For press information, contact:
Andrea Cullis
Media relations manager
University of Warwick
E: a dot cullis at warwick dot ac dot uk
DD: 02476 528050
M: 07825 314874