GUERNSEY’S global reputation has received a major boost. The Guernsey Training Agency has been awarded university centre status by Bournemouth University.

‘International recognition is such an important asset for business and political leaders to promote Guernsey off-island,’ said GTA chief executive Professor Richard Conder.

‘We can now say that the island has a university centre that is recognised all over the world. We are associated with and accredited by an internationally recognised UK university.’

Prof. Conder said the recognition meant islanders could study a range of new postgraduate courses taught locally by university tutors.

‘Candidates will be considered Bournemouth University students and they will receive on-island tutoring of courses relevant to the economic development of Guernsey,’ he said.

‘We address all economic areas of the island through short courses, professional and postgraduate programmes.’

Some of the advanced courses available include the MBA, MSc in corporate governance and a postgraduate certificate in intellectual property.

Prof. Conder said that courses not included in the GTA prospectus would be considered in future, depending on demand and their relevance to the island’s economy.

‘If a new economic stream is identified, we will try and support it,’ he said.

The GTA currently has no intention of offering undergraduate courses in Guernsey.

‘If there ever became a need, then we would work closely with our colleagues in doing so,’ said Prof. Conder.

‘If there is time there are huge advantages in letting students go away to study. However, with all the new issues surrounding funding, it is difficult to predict the impact on students who may be unable to afford the costs, and at some time in the future we may be able to address this.’

Prof. Conder added that the agency had a strategic alliance with the College of Further Education.

‘They [CoFE] are one of our closest and most valued working parties.’

Prof. Conder was delighted with the accreditation from the university.

‘My own feeling is a sense of delight for Guernsey,’ he said.

‘The GTA has always been in the forefront and committed to workforce development. I am so delighted it has an asset it can utilise in the future and use to promote itself.’

In making the award, a Bournemouth University representative said the GTA was a strongly led and well-managed institution of good repute.

‘It offers a wide range of successful education and continuing professional development programmes for the Bailiwick of Guernsey,’ he said.

‘In so doing, it makes a unique contribution to the provision of education and professional training for the people and the economy of the Bailiwick.

‘It has established sound structures and procedures for the management of its programmes.’

GuernseyFinance chief executive Peter Niven thought having a university centre based in the island would benefit businesses trying to promote their services outside of it.

‘Guernsey is highly respected for the quality and range of financial services it offers the international market,’ he said.

‘It is vital that we are vigilant and continue to maintain our lead as a rapidly developing finance centre.’

The GTA currently runs more than 300 courses and had 5,500 enrolments last year.

It is a not-for-profit trust with trustees being the Guernsey Financial Services Commission, Guernsey International Business Association and the Education and the Commerce and Employment Departments.

To ensure that the partnership is working, Bournemouth University and the agency will be setting up a joint board made up of senior members of the two bodies and the university.

Prof. Conder added that the GTA had maintained its links with a number of other UK universities, including Southampton and Plymouth and the London Business School.