University signs life-long learning agreements

Students in Sheffield, who are currently studying for vocational or work-based courses at local colleges, are set to benefit from two new agreements which aim to transform access to learning within the city.

The University of Sheffield and Higher Futures - which aims to transform access to learning in the city - 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 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.

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."