Barnet and Southgate College has secured a partnership with the Beijing Industry and Trade Technician College in Fashion and Animation as part of a two year British Council Skills for Employability Partnership Project.

As part of this partnership a Chinese delegation is visiting the Wood Street and Southgate campuses of the College this week alongside a Chinese journalist, arranged by the British Council Beijing office. The Chinese officials will be observing Creative Arts lessons and workshops, visiting local employers, attending a London trade show and agreeing an action plan with the College. A major part of the project is to develop sustainability and the partnership intends to involve both UK and Chinese employers, UK awarding bodies and sector skills councils.

This visit involves only staff, but the first student exchange to China is planned for next year. The Creative Arts department in particular has been identified as a curriculum area that will benefit significantly from this kind of development; preparing students for both national and international employment and developing their design and creative skills. On the final day of the visit, 21^st October, College officials and the Chinese delegation will sign a Memorandum of Understanding; an agreement to work collaboratively for the next two years.

Barnet and Southgate College Principal David Byrne said:

“Barnet and Southgate College is excited to be working with China in our first partnership of this kind.  China is one of the key countries involved in the Skills for Employability initiative and the Ministry of Health Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) in China has given it extensive backing. Both our students and staff will be involved with inward and outward exchange opportunities and we will work together on curriculum and skills development to enable them to meet the demands of a competitive global market. It really is a great opportunity for both institutions and our students.”