College launches pioneering link with China

The first China-UK National Skills College was officially unveiled in Quingzhou City, Shandong Province on Wednesday.

The joint venture between Warwickshire College, Weifang Vocational College and the Beijing Guozheng International Education Investment Company is creating a new college for 20,000 students to give them the opportunity to gain workplace skills training backed by UK qualifications, and allow Chinese students to study in the UK.

Further joint ventures, including a partnership with Xinqiao College in Shanghai, will lead to a Warwickshire College presence in Shanghai.

Principal Mariane Cavalli said: “We will provide the leadership, curriculum expertise, staff training and ongoing professional support to deliver internationally recognised UK vocational qualifications for the benefit of many students in China.”

Warwick and Leamington MP Chris White said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our community and shows not only the high quality education that Warwickshire College provides but also the potential educational exports have for our local economy.”

The British Council in China’s director of education marketing Jazreel Goh said: “We are really happy to see the setting up of this UK-China further education partnership and it is a great example of bringing education collaboration between UK and China colleges supported by private education investment. We look forward to the many opportunities and links that will be created through this partnership.”

Xiao Mingsheng, president of the Weifeng Engineering Vocational College, said: “It gives us tremendous pleasure to work with our British partner in such an innovative and creative venture.

“Warwickshire College represents the best of the British vocational education and skills sector, while our college is very keen to help our students in obtaining internationally recognised qualifications. We are therefore extremely happy to be working together closely from now on for the interest of our learners in both countries. ”

Luo Xiaoming, chairman of the Beijing Guozheng International Education Investment, the founding executive president of Beijing Geely University, said: “My company is privileged in pioneering such a joint venture. I’m so very proud of this development, it is a breakthrough in the Chinese skills sector. I regard this as one of the most extraordinary achievements of my career in education.”