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University Centre for Aylesbury Vale (UCAV) has been officially launched from Aylesbury College. The vision for the new Centre is to be the local provider of affordable and relevant University Education within Vale and surrounding area, and by so doing, make a significant social and economic contribution to the region.
The UCAV is a unique and pioneering partnership involving providers and stakeholders including Aylesbury College, Aylesbury Training Group, Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, and the University of Bedfordshire; and supported by Aylesbury Vale Advantage, Aylesbury Vale District Council, Buckinghamshire Lifelong Learning Partnership, Learning and Skills Council, and South East England Development Agency.
The central aim of the Centre is to offer a range of courses and qualifications from a partnership of Universities and other training providers. Validated courses by Universities and national vocational qualifications, people of 18 years of age through to mature students will have a chance to study university level courses without having to travel to other regions – the UCAV is therefore a tremendous local opportunity to achieve qualifications and skills beyond the standard level 3 with both full time and part time options.
Pauline Odulinski, Principal and Chief Executive, Aylesbury College said:
“ The new Centre for University accredited courses and vocational programmes will offer choice for learners and ensure that there are real benefits for both community and business in the Vale. This is an exciting period for the area and partnerships such as University Centre for Aylesbury Vale indicate dialogue, progress and joining up of major stakeholders and providers to make things happen. UCAV is a unique offer on a local level and we look forward to working with our partners as well as encouraging others to join us.”
Some courses are offered in ‘Bite-sized’ pieces and for younger learners, a positive full study programme takes into account all levels from first entry to degree achievement. Mature learners without any formal qualifications are encouraged to learn at high levels, with work-experience being taken into consideration upon entry. A specially designed course entitled ‘Access to HE’ being offered to bridge the learning gap.
The new Centre was opened at Aylesbury College by local entrepreneur Tim Sparks, famous for his Aylesbury restaurant “Thirty One” (used on the BBC series The Restaurant).
Support to professional development is a key component of the UCAV. This will provide businesses with the knowledge that local employees will be trained to the highest level and relevant for long term. As the Vale and surrounding area expands as part of the growth agenda, businesses can confidently invest in the future, safe in the knowledge that employees will choose to remain in the area. Entrepreneurship can also be taken to new heights with businessmen and women making a lasting connection with the area and assisting in building a prosperous local and regional economy.
The UCAV also presents businesses with an opportunity to open real dialogue with education providers and stakeholders, and know that this dialogue will be listened to and action taken. The advantage to both business and education partners both individually and collectively, will be to develop courses that can deliver, sustain and create economic and social prosperity.
For more information regarding the courses now available through UCAV, please contact 01296 780280.
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For Press Enquiries:
Ian McClurg-Welland, PR Consultant, T: 07875 839716 ian1@mcclurg1.wanadoo.co.uk
