Technology giant HP has partnered with the UK’s Staffordshire University in a programme designed to equip students with business-ready IT skills lacking in the industry.

The partnership will see specialised degree courses with a year abroad in industry, internships at HP, mentoring and guest lectures from HP employees, as well as collaborative ventures between the university’s research teams and the company, and an HP-sponsored awards programme for Staffordshire students.

The university’s vice chancellor Professor Michael Gunn says: “The partnership will support our aim for every student to graduate from Staffordshire University with the attitude, skills and essential attributes of employability, enterprise and entrepreneurship to secure a rewarding career and make their mark on the world.”

HP is working with several partners with the goal of improving the IT skills of over 20,000 people across Britain over the next four years.

Staffordshire is the fourth university to become involved with HP, which is already partnered with Buckinghamshire New University, the University of the West of England and De Montfort University.