Building on a well-established relationship between the two institutions, this partnership aims to position Bedfordshire as a national leader in delivering high-quality post-school education and training, ensuring the region meets the growing demand for a skilled workforce.

By leveraging the combined strengths of both institutions, the partnership will create clear pathways for learners, from further education through to higher education and beyond, supporting progression and lifelong learning.

Professor Rebecca Bunting, Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire, said: “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to creating an education ecosystem that benefits learners, employers, and the wider community. By bringing together our collective strengths and expertise, we are shaping a more connected, forward-looking model of education – one that equips people with the skills and confidence they need to thrive. Together, we will champion innovation and excellence in skills development, expand opportunities for learners at every stage, and contribute to the long-term growth of Bedfordshire and beyond.”

Yiannis Koursis OBE, Chief Executive Officer of The Bedford College Group, added: “At its heart, this partnership is about people and opportunity. It represents a significant step change in how education and skills are delivered across Bedfordshire. Through deeper collaboration with the University of Bedfordshire, we are aligning provision with labour market need and responding directly to employers, creating clearer pathways for learners, and building the region’s talent pipeline required to support long-term economic growth. Together, we are committed to creating opportunities that transform lives, support businesses, and drive prosperity across our communities.”

The key benefits of this new partnership include:

• High quality education for learners: Providing clear learning pathways through a range of flexible and diverse programmes, supporting transitions into and beyond Further and Higher Education. 
• Workforce development and external engagement: Developing an integrated approach to achieve the ambitions of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, collaborating with wider organisations to design education and skills initiatives aligned with regional needs.
• Shared resources and expertise: Exploring opportunities to share facilities, infrastructure, and knowledge, maximising efficiency and impact to the benefit of all stakeholders.

The partnership will be overseen by a joint steering group, meeting regularly to drive progress and ensure alignment with regional priorities.

Launching the renewed partnership at the beginning of the academic year, the two institutions co-hosted a Skills Bedfordshire: Curriculum Planning and Partnership Working Symposium, which featured a keynote from Skills England’s CEO, and a panel representing local anchor organisations.