A PROJECT which will link York's four providers of higher education will be launched in the city tomorrow.

Higher York aims to link up York College, University of York, York St John College and Askham Bryan College to benefit those hoping to study in the city, employers and the institutes.

The project manager, Wendy Ripley, said: "Between them, the university and the colleges offer a huge choice of courses.

"We want to offer a more co-ordinated service to new students and a joined-up approach to marketing to students in the local vicinity.

"The partnership is also an advantage to local employers.

"We can establish a dialogue with them about the skills and experience offered by higher education in York."

One aim is to provide better information about higher education opportunities in York and to encourage more people to take advantage of the variety of courses on offer.

The four institutions will collaborate in resources and expertise such as staff development activities and some facilities.

The immediate future of the Higher York partnership will see closer links in art and design with a joint approach in place by September, 2003, and the further development of business and management courses.

The partnership also hopes to develop links in tourism, health-related courses and early years education.

"This project is about co-ordination of effort and the demonstration of the effectiveness and reputation of the individual organisations," said Wendy.

"Indeed, the key strength of Higher York is the diversity of the institutions and what they offer. We are lucky in York that our higher education institutions provide something for everyone."

The Minister for Lifelong Learning and Higher Education, Margaret Hodge, has praised the partnership describing it as "an exciting and pioneering partnership".

She said: "There is genuine creativity and optimism in the way the four organisations are collaborating. Their commitment to the community in and around York is admirable."

The project will be launched at the National Centre for Early Music.

Updated: 09:09 Wednesday, September 25, 2002