Cambridge Regional College partnership could boost skills training in China

Cambridge Regional College’s specialist lecturers could be helping train the trainers in one of China’s fastest-growing regions.

The college has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with educational organisations in Nanjing with the aim of helping train teachers in key vocational subjects where there are shortages – engineering, science and technology.

Education publishers and trainers from China spent a day at the college to find out more about vocational teaching and how to develop it in their home region.

During their visit, organised by the Association of Colleges and vocational qualification body City and Guilds, they spoke to engineering apprentices and met Chinese students studying at Cambridge Regional College.

Trudie McGuinness, Director of the International Office at CRC, said it had been a very positive visit.

“The Chinese delegation was very interested in vocational education and we were delighted to host the visit and discuss how Cambridge Regional College could work alongside them to develop skills training in their region,” she said.

“Through the Memorandum of Understanding we have agreed to look at partnership opportunities, particularly helping train their teachers as there is such a shortage there in engineering, science and technology.”

The college already has a thriving programme with schools in China, welcoming hundreds of Chinese students to its international centre each year, to study courses ranging from Business to Games Design.

CRC China specialist Ursula Woodhouse recently visited the country to meet the college’s partners in provinces across China to talk about extending the partnerships and increasing the number of students coming to the college.