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Partnership launched to strengthen post‑16 education and skills provision
The move will make a difference to people in the Midlands and South East
University news / Student news / Business news
Wednesday 04 February 2026
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Coventry University Group and two colleges are creating a strategic partnership to improve post‑16 education and training in the West Midlands and South East.
The partnership between Coventry University Group, North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) and Unified Seevic Palmer’s (USP) College is designed to benefit learners, staff and employers.
It will enable collaboration on curriculum planning, supporting the needs of regional industrial strategies through joined-up place-based planning, improving learner progression across institutions, sharing of facilities and staff and joint bids and project activity.
The partnership also allows for the creation of one-stop shops for employers looking for apprenticeships and upskilling for employees at all levels of their workforce.
Building on existing relationships, the agreement is fully in line with the UK Government’s policy aimed at enhancing collaboration and alignment between Higher and Further Education.
Coventry University Group has seven locations in England, including Coventry, London and Scarborough. NWSLC has a network of seven campuses in the Midlands and has a long history of impactful collaboration with industry. USP serves communities across three campuses in Essex with a strong focus on regional and national careers opportunities.
At the heart of this partnership is a strong ambition to support more of our students to progress into advanced level skill training and degrees. The huge impact of our current partnership working is embodied at the acclaimed MIRA Technology Institute (MTI) where we deliver a ‘skills escalator’ of training into the automotive industry and its supply chain. We aspire to replicate this into other priority sectors, such as health and care where regional demand is huge.
Marion Plant, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of NWLSC
This partnership is about securing USP College’s long-term prospects and prosperity for our students, staff and communities. It strengthens our ability to respond to national priorities, including the UK’s Industrial Strategy 8, while aligning curriculum, progression and skills provision to future economic demand and building long-term resilience for the college.
Dan Pearson, CEO at USP College
This commitment is grounded in the shared goal of expanding educational opportunities, supporting economic growth and putting ‘place’ at the centre of future development. The partnership will generate new momentum and accelerate joint efforts to meet skills needs across the regions.
Professor Ian Dunn, Provost at Coventry University Group
