Colleges team up to grab Euro-cash

OLDHAM College is part of a new company which aims to pump millions into further education in the region.

The Greater Manchester Colleges Group joint venture company is made up of the 10 biggest colleges in the area and is the first of its kind in a city and its surrounding region.

The group has already won a £14 million European grant to help improve skills and qualifications in the region.

Principals of the colleges — which also include Hopwood Hall, Tameside, Bury, Manchester and Salford — have shared information and expertise since 2010.

The company’s part-time partnership director, Robin Newton-Syms, said the new company aimed to attract more funding to the area.

“The potential now is for colleges to help shape the future of businesses, by offering effective training solutions and skills development which will enable them to grow.”