Leeds City College Open for Business

Leeds City College is officially launched today, when three existing colleges automatically transfer to the new institution, taking forward a commitment to provide the education and skills businesses need to stay competitive.

A series of recent meetings chaired by members of the governing body, invited employers from SMEs, larger corporate and the public sector to start a dialogue with Leeds City College, as the largest educational institution in the city.

The college listened to feedback from businesses and has moved quickly to provide a simplified way for them to access the funding available for employee training and development in their organisation.

By pooling expertise from the now dissolved Leeds College of Technology, Leeds Thomas Danby and Park Lane College, an innovative Cross College Employment Engagement team is moving to address many of the concerns raised.

Client Adviser Sylvia Robinson, seconded from the previous Park Lane Business School to Leeds Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will work directly with business to give impartial guidance and advice on training opportunities.

President of Leeds Chamber and vice chair of Leeds City College governing body, Gary Lumby said: “The economic advantages that flow from the formation of Leeds City College have already begun. Working with the business community in this way ensures training and development is closely allied to the future economic needs of the city and this is a very positive start to what we hope will be a growing dialogue between Leeds City College and employers.”

Nearly 30 employers have already sought help with meeting their training requirements through this new initiative at the Leeds Chamber.

Craig Busby, Head of the Business School, Leeds City College, Park Lane Campus said: “Our relationship with the Leeds Chamber is well established. Although this new scheme is in its infancy, there are already strong indicators that there is a real demand for further training and support.”

“New packages such as redundancy training or our, soon to be launched, ‘Legally Minded’ programme – an academy to provide SRA accredited courses for solicitors in the city – are further examples of how Leeds City College will be at the forefront of supplying businesses with exactly what they need.”

Businesses looking for help for their training needs can contact Sylvia Robinson at Leeds Chamber on 0113 247 000 or Ruth Titterington at the Business School, Leeds City College, Park Lane Campus on 0113 216 2422.

Leeds College of Technology, Leeds Thomas Danby and Park Lane College were dissolved on 31 March 2009. Students and employees automatically transferred to Leeds City College, the biggest educational institute in Leeds with 45,000 students and a turnover of £70m a year.