NPTC Group of Colleges is leading the way for the whole of the UK as it signs a deal with China that could mean a massive boost to the British economy.
The College is signing a deal with Chinese colleges to set up a world-leading Centre of Excellence for British Vocational Education in China (CEBVEC). The CEBVEC programme will enable China to develop much needed skills to enable delivery of the Chinese economic development strategy which focuses on high tech manufacturing. It’s part of China-Britain Vocational Education Cooperation and Development Alliance, known as the Alliance, which is committed to promoting close cooperation between China and Britain in vocational education.
The programme will also focus on training teachers in China to help them deliver a modern UK standard of student-centred teaching and learning. China currently has more than 12,000 vocational colleges and 27 million vocational students, making it the largest vocational education system in the world.
Assistant Principal for Worldwide Operations at NPTC Group of Colleges, Steve Rhodes who has been appointed Honorary Chair of the Alliance said it was a great opportunity for both China and the UK.
“It is a great honour and privilege to be involved with the Alliance. We want to pay special thanks to the Department of International Trade, the China-British Business Council and the British Council for their support and help to enable the UK to benefit from this project, where we will see engagement with millions of Chinese students and partnerships with thousands of Chinese colleges.”
Mark Dacey, CEO of NPTC Group of Colleges, added: “I am proud that NPTC Group of Colleges is at the forefront in the UK of Sino China-UK developments within the field of Vocational Education – both great nations have much together we can share.
“The Alliance now gives us a strategic platform to come together. We can, both in China and the UK, through the Alliance, promote even wider support of our objectives through our Governments and Government Departments and Agencies.”
The programme will not be restricted to only NPTC Group. The model will require support from other Welsh and UK-wide FE colleges to deliver the programme, and these partner colleges will benefit in many ways.
It means social mobility for thousands of Chinese students who would otherwise not have the opportunity to receive an international standard education. There are plans to develop the project which could also see more connections made with top UK universities, furthering the social mobility and commercial success of the partnership programme.
Pic Cap: Steve Rhodes, Assistant Principal for Worldwide Operations at NPTC Group of Colleges is pictured at the inaugural meeting and signing of the China-Britain Vocational Education Cooperation and Development Alliance in China.
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