The University of Chichester has joined forces with universities and colleges across Sussex to form a new strategic alliance aimed at improving opportunities for learners, supporting employers and helping drive the region’s future prosperity.
Nine further and higher education institutions have formally established the Further & Higher Education Sussex Strategic Alliance (FHESSA), bringing together their collective expertise, reach and resources to strengthen the contribution education makes to people, communities and the regional economy.
The new alliance brings together:
- Bexhill College
- BHASVIC
- University of Brighton
- Chichester College Group
- University of Chichester
- East Sussex College Group
- Plumpton College
- University of Sussex
- Varndean College
The alliance will provide a stronger, collective voice for further and higher education in Sussex and create new opportunities for institutions to work together on some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the region.
This will include developing new learning opportunities and clearer routes through further and higher education for learners of all ages, responding to regional skills needs, widening access to learning and opportunity, and strengthening the contribution education makes to economic growth and thriving communities across Sussex.
The creation of FHESSA comes at an important moment for the region, as new arrangements for devolution, including the new Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority, create opportunities for greater collaboration over skills, employment, infrastructure and economic development.
Cllr Bella Sankey, Chair of the Sussex and Brighton Strategic Authority, said:
“Devolution gives Sussex and Brighton a once-in-a-generation chance to shape our own future. For people across the region, that means better jobs, better wages and the opportunity to build a good career where they grew up. That is exactly what the Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority is working towards. FHESSA, as a partnership that brings together the expertise of our colleges and universities, can help make this happen”.
FHESSA was formally launched on Friday 9 October at an event bringing together education leaders and regional partners at One Garden Brighton.