HoW College are proud to work with a range of strategic partners to enhance student experiences and support curriculum development.
HoW College currently have strategic partnerships with Rubicon Leisure, The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP), Worcester Bosch, the NHS and Benniman LTD.
Rubicon Leisure
The collaboration of HoW College and Rubicon Leisure aims to bridge the gap between education and industry and this strategic partnership marks an important milestone to help young people with careers in the leisure sector - an important aspiration for both organisations.
The partnership aims to raise awareness of the opportunities within the leisure industry to HoW College students with an emphasis to those studying sport and public services courses. It will also provide valuable continuing professional development opportunities for staff and promote Rubicon Leisure's services and facilities to the wider community.
As part of this partnership, both organisations will collaborate to enhance student understanding of soft and transferable skills, support curriculum development and offer real-world learning experiences. The agreement includes Rubicon Leisure providing guest lectures, skills sessions, industry placements and participation in curriculum-focused employer forums.
The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP)
The strategic partnership between HoW College and CIPP has been designed to increase awareness of career opportunities in the payroll sector and to educate students on essential financial literacy topics such as payslips, National Insurance (NI) and taxation.
The collaboration kicked off in September 2025 and has since focused on engaging Business Studies, Management and Professional Students. Through a series of joint activities, HoW College and CIPP aim to raise students' understanding of the payroll profession, while also addressing wider knowledge gaps in personal financial education.
The partnership includes guest lectures and industry insights from CIPP professionals, the opportunity for students to participate in employer-led projects and placements, access to learning materials and co-developed educational packages tailored to the needs of learners and the industry and ongoing curriculum development support with input from CIPP to align educational content with industry standards.
Benniman LTD
HoW College and Benniman LTD launched their partnership with the aim to promote career opportunities and curriculum development in the construction industry. The collaboration focuses on educating young people about essential roles, skills and the current skills agenda surrounding sustainability, environmental issues and health and safety legislation.
With both organisations recognising the importance of equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in this vital industry, this three-year commitment will raise awareness of career pathways within the construction sector.
Some of the key Initiatives of the Partnership include:
- Curriculum Development: This collaboration will offer essential insights into curriculum content by participating in annual employer forums, ensuring that educational programs meet industry requirements.
- Career Awareness: Giving real insight into the roles available with the sector and what the potential roles are out there for students.
- Hands-On Experience: The partnership will facilitate work placements and learning projects for students, providing them with practical experience in the industry, something that will be invaluable in the their career development.
NHS
Heart of Worcestershire College (HoW) and the Estates and Facilities department at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Health Care NHS Trust have begun a significant partnership in January 2026 aimed at promoting career opportunities and curriculum development in the construction industry.
Working together, this three-year commitment will assist in raising awareness of career pathways within the Trust and its supply chain, whilst increasing the understanding of soft skills and transferable skills in career progression.
Both organisations recognise the importance of equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in this vital industry.
Key initiatives of the partnership:
- Curriculum Development: This collaboration will offer essential insights into curriculum content by engaging with students and staff to provide insights into career pathways, services, and practical experiences.
- Skill sharing: Giving real insight with guest lectures and skill sessions to support curriculum delivery and assessment. The Trust will also engage in an employer forum up to twice a year to contribute to curriculum development and design.
- Hands-On Experience: The partnership will facilitate work placements and learning projects for students, providing them with practical experience in the industry, something that will be invaluable in their career development.
Worcester Bosch
Heart of Worcestershire College (HoW) and Worcester Bosch Group have begun a strategic partnership in May 2026 that will enhance skills and opportunities for local students.
The three-year partnership between the two organisations will see Worcester Bosch showcase career opportunities within Worcester Bosch Group and identify collaborative projects to champion the student experience and maximise mutual benefits.
HoW College and Worcester Bosch Group both recognise the importance of providing clear, well-informed career pathways and advice, as well as promoting and furthering skills development that will help students gain employment.
Key initiatives of the partnership:
- Support Corporate Social Responsibility: The collaboration will contribute positively to the local community through jointly designed initiatives that enhance skills, wellbeing, and opportunities for local residents.
- Curriculum Development: Worcester Bosch Group will share essential insights about career pathways, services, and practical experiences with students and staff that will help evolve curriculum content. They will also be part of a bi-annual employer forum that contributes to curriculum development and design.
- Skill sharing: Real-world insight from guest lectures and skill sessions will support curriculum delivery and assessment. There will also be three work placement opportunities for HoW College students each year.
- Industry updating: The partnership will give HoW College access to industry trends and updates via conversations, site visits, and work shadowing opportunities.
