Solent: Working together to strengthen higher and further education
As part of ongoing work to strengthen higher and further education ties across the region, Solent University and Eastleigh College have entered into a reciprocal governance arrangement.
Professor Karen Stanton, Solent University vice-chancellor, has been appointed to the Eastleigh College board as a governor, and Paul Cox, Eastleigh College chief executive and principal, has been appointed to the Solent board as a co-optee.
Stanton said: “Both Solent and Eastleigh College are committed to partnership, working to deliver benefits for learners across the region, and I am delighted that this arrangement will strategically bind our two organisations and their long-term aims in the development of a city-wide skills offer.”
Cox, added: “Eastleigh has worked closely with Solent for many years, and it’s exciting to take this a step further. We have shared values for providing lifetime learning, career-orientated experience and real employability opportunities. This development for both institutions will further strengthen our partnership working which will undoubtedly benefit students, apprentices and employers alike.”
Both Solent and Eastleigh are currently working on a number of initiatives as part of covid recovery for Southampton and the wider region. This includes the ambition to develop a comprehensive adult education offer from entry to postgraduate levels, and a skills ladder that will see Eastleigh College training and apprenticeship provision mapped to Solent progressions routes.
Work is also continuing to improve education/employer engagement across the region, simplifying and clarifying access to training and apprenticeships for employers and organisations.
