Durham College and Ayrshire College Launch International Partnership to Drive Innovation in Industry and Skills Development

A new international partnership between Durham College (DC) and Ayrshire College in Scotland, UK will focus on educational exchange, applied research, and industry collaboration across key sectors.

The partnership will support a range of joint initiatives, including training development, collaborative cross-institutional and industry-focused projects aligned with real-world workforce needs. This underscores DC’s reputation as a leader in globally connected, industry-focused education while providing DC students and faculty members with valuable international perspectives and experiential learning opportunities.

“This partnership represents an exciting step forward in our commitment to global collaboration,” said Robin Young, Director, Corporate Training Services at DC. “By working together with our colleagues in Scotland, we created meaningful opportunities for our learners and industry partners to innovate and grow on an international scale.”

A recent visit from Ayrshire College’s team to DC included strategic discussions on dual-delivery pilot programs, post-graduation pathways, corporate training, and workforce upskilling, with a shared focus on supporting emerging and evolving labour market demands.

“Formalizing our collaboration with Durham College marks a significant milestone for Ayrshire College, as we continue to advance our international ambitions,” said Alistair Rodgers, Director of Enterprise Development at Ayrshire College. “This partnership will open up valuable opportunities for staff, students and industry partners to share knowledge, exchange best practices and drive innovation on a global scale across a diverse range of sectors.”

This global partnership reinforces both Durham College’s and Ayrshire College’s dedication to creating meaningful, future-focused opportunities that benefit students, educators, industry partners, and communities at home and abroad.