University strengthens presence
April 2008
Dr Paul Shelton, assistant dean for Education Partnerships and Opportunity at the University of Teesside
A one-stop shop is being established at the Wilton Centre that will allow companies to take advantage of learning opportunities offered by the University of Teesside’s School of Science and Technology.
The centre, being set up by the School and local further education colleges, will allow companies to access information about courses relevant to the process industry and engineering sectors.
Available to any company in the Tees Valley, the facility will be based in the Wilton Centre Information and Resource Centre, which is already operated by the University’s Library and Information Services department.
The initiative, which is headed up by assistant dean for Education Partnerships and Opportunities, Dr Paul Shelton, will give companies information on part-time courses at all levels from craft to technician, B.TEC, Foundation and Undergraduate degrees in Science, Technology and Engineering disciplines and also Masters opportunities.
Employers will also be able to discuss the accreditation of work-based learning. Colleges including Darlington, Stockton Riverside, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Redcar and Cleveland have all agreed to support the initiative.
Dr Shelton, a former materials engineer with ICI, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to engage with employers face-to-face. We have been accused of being out of touch and inaccessible in the past. It is my intention that the University and other training providers, including the private sector, are immediately available when industry calls.”
He said one of the advantages of establishing the facility at the Centre was its ease of parking and access.
School staff will be available by appointment on Thursday mornings. It will also be possible to arrange appointments with College and University staff at other times by contacting Dr Shelton on (01642) 342497 or e-mail p.w.shelton@tees.ac.uk or Christine Burniston senior information officer, IRC on (01642) 457367 or e-mail ircwilton@tees.ac.uk