New agreement to boost business and education links

A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was signed with the Institute for Education Business Excellence (IEBE) at the University.

The partnership will help the Institute to develop its professional development programme, allowing its members the opportunity to take qualifications and courses right up to Masters Level. The Institute draws its membership from practitioners within a wide range of roles in schools, colleges, businesses and specialist organisations in the UK and overseas.

The MoC was signed by IEBE Chair, Shân Jones and Professor Caroline Gipps, Vice-Chancellor at the University.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Geoff Hampton has been instrumental in developing the relationship with IEBE. He said: “We are delighted to sign this new agreement. We are committed to supporting the creation of professional partnerships between business and education which have a positive impact on the employability of school, college and university students.

“This new link is a logical extension of our business engagement work, which includes Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and projects such as Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in Education West Midlands (SPEED WM) which enables students to launch a business alongside their studies.

“The relationship with the IEBE provides the endorsement of a nationally recognised body with particular expertise in drawing education and business together.”

Chief Executive of IEBE, Declan Swan, said: “If we are to build a more vibrant and competitive economy all young people need quality experiences of employment before they enter the workplace. For students and businesses to receive maximum benefit we believe these experiences should be professionally arranged and managed.

“This new and exciting agreement with the University will play a significant role in helping us build a professional community of expert practitioners supporting learner achievement and helping prepare young people for working life.”

Members of the IEBE include school teachers and Head teachers, community and education managers at large companies and employees of specialist education and business brokerage organisations.

The new partnership will develop resources and opportunities for IEBE members to widen their knowledge base and work towards accredited qualifications in education business practice, including at postgraduate level.

ENDS

Picture: Seated L – R: Vice-Chancellor Professor Caroline Gipps and Chair of the Institute for Education Business Excellence Shân Jones. Standing L – R: Chief Executive of IEBE Declan Swan and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Sir Geoff Hampton.

For more information please contact Vickie Warren in the University of Wolverhampton Media Relations Office on 01902 322736 or v.warren@wlv.ac.uk or Matthew Chiles at IEBE on 07825 299443 or email matthew@iebe.org.uk