The Somerset Universities Partnership Project (SUPP) is a initiative designed to improve the educational and social well being of the people in Somerset.
Background
The project is support by the SSP. It is not aiming to develop a multi-campus University of Somerset, but to improve collaboration between the Further Education Colleges and Universities operating in Somerset, employers and the wider community to enhance the impact that higher education has on the economy of Somerset.
The project brings together the five Further Education Colleges in the County (Bridgwater College, Richard Huish College, Somerset College, Strode College and Yeovil College), two universities acting as higher education institution representatives (Bournemouth and University of Plymouth), Somerset County Council and, importantly, employers in public, private and third sectors.
SUPP target groups include traditional students (18-24 years) and mature students who are currently working and interested in flexible, customised, part-time and modular methods of delivery. The plan is for a number of University Centres to be developed in co-operation with the FE college partners in the project. The model followed is a distributed one with extensive reliance on e-learning approaches.
The main aims of the project are:
- To encourage young people and others in Somerset to consider a university level education;
- To encourage more Somerset employers to recognise the value of having their employees educated to graduate level;
- To support the development of knowledge based businesses;
- To encourage more people in employment to undertake Higher Education relevant to the workplace and business needs.
- To increase levels of Higher Education participation by young people from communities where participation is low;
- To attract investment into Somerset.
Somerset is TOP of only six projects nationwide deemed of good enough quality and relevance to go through to the next stage in the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
For further information please contact the Economy Group at Somerset County Council on 01823 358091.
