Developing and upskilling the local workforce is at the heart of a new partnership between UWS and South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership (SA HSCP) as both organisations have signed a strategic partnership agreement.

With both SA HSCP and UWS sharing a commitment to promoting healthy lives and inclusive societies, a partnership agreement signed on 19 December to harness the strength and expertise of both organisations.

Included in the partnership agreement is a commitment to work together to grow the local workforce in Ayrshire by developing entry level and graduate level opportunities that align to the needs of the workforce across Ayrshire. This will be supported by work to upskill the existing workforce with new roles supported by learning opportunities.

The two institutions will also work together on course content and delivery for UWS students studying health and social care, ensuring SA HSCP's expertise is integrated so graduates are ready for their roles.

The strategic alliance builds upon both organisations' experience and expertise in working with a variety of different groups and communities across Ayrshire with a commitment to share both best practice and relevant research that can improve the health and wellbeing of people in Ayrshire.

On signing the partnership, Tim Eltringham, Director of Health and Social Care said: "The support we receive from UWS in the development of our workforce is crucial to the running of the HSCP. This new partnership agreement focuses on growing a local workforce, upskilling our existing staff, helping contribute real life work experience to available courses as well as developing shared evaluation and research to achieve the best outcomes."

We are excited to sign this new partnership agreement and to take forward a number of joint developments we feel will make a real impact on our community.

Tim Eltringham, Director of Health and Social Care

The health and wellbeing of everyone in Ayrshire is a priority for both us and SA HSCP and I'm looking forward to our agreement having a tremendous impact on the communities we serve and developing the local workforce.

Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS

The strategic partnership outlines how both organisations will seek to work together to deliver transformative change aligns to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically: good health and well-being (SDG3); quality education (SDG4); decent work and economic growth (SDG8); and sustainable cities and communities (SDG11).