Meeting the Demands for Higher Skills

Since 2005, Hartlepool College of Further Education, working in conjunction with Teesside University, has achieved significant growth in the numbers of students entering and progressing to study university level programmes in Hartlepool. Overall growth has been a massive 245% - an increase of over 500 on total student numbers - making a substantial contribution to meeting the higher skills levels needed to compete in an increasingly competitive World economy.

In addition, university level courses delivered at Hartlepool College have bucked the trend in the 2009 National Student Survey which indicated that 85% of the College's students were satisfied with the course they were taking. The areas of 'learning resources' and 'student support' were singled out for specific praise. The College was 10% above the National average with just 75% of students overall studying university level courses at further education colleges reported to be happy with their course.

Hartlepool College is about to embark upon a multi-million pound investment in a new building in Hartlepool town centre and it isthought that this investment will add further impetus to recruitment to university level programmes. Teesside University is contributing £2 million towards the integration of a Higher Level Centre within the new building and the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Graham Henderson said "I am delighted to see the considerable growth in higher education student numbers in Hartlepool. It has long been a key part of the University's development strategy to encourage the expansion of higher education opportunities across the Tees Valley via its further education college partners. I am confident that the University's investment in the new development will reap well deserved rewards for the Town, employers and most importantly the people of Hartlepool".

Hartlepool's MP, Iain Wright has long argued the need for university level provision in the Town and he has worked tirelessly to support the College in attracting funding for the new development and in encouraging the
University to invest in Hartlepool. He said, "The growth in higher education student numbers demonstrates that the ambition and aspiration of Hartlepool people remains as strong as ever and they are preparing to meet the challenges of a demanding economic future. The development of higher level skills will be vital to successful economies in the years ahead and I am pleased that I have been able to support Hartlepool College working with Teesside University in securing funding to make these HE opportunities available to Hartlepool people"