Gloucestershire College has announced its partnership with local cyber group CyNam as academic sponsor. The college says the strategic partnership with Cheltenham's influential cyber group will give more students the opportunity to enter this cutting-edge industry.

It will also provide more local employers the ability to access the college's specialised cyber and IT courses and apprenticeship training, and talent pool of readily-available cyber and IT candidates, says the institution.

Andy Bates, Vice Principal at Gloucestershire College, highlighted the established position it offers for cyber recruitment and training opportunities.

"We know there is a huge demand for cyber and IT professionals across Gloucestershire. As a College we are fully committed to using our expertise and resources to train the right people with the skills that local employers need, and to match those employers with talented individuals who are ready and willing to make their mark in this industry.

"We offer a broad range of IT and cyber courses at different levels to suit school leavers, apprentices or more experienced in-house managers looking to develop cyber skills within their own organisations. Furthermore, our recently-appointed status as an Institute of Technology, together with other leading providers of education in the South West, has secured the college £3 million to invest in outstanding IT and cyber training facilities, which will make them some of the best in the country".

He added: "We recognise CyNam as a significantly important and influential cyber presence within our region, and our academic sponsorship reflects our strategic support of CyNam's values and aims to place Cheltenham and Gloucestershire at the heart of the cyber industry in the UK and beyond".