HP has launched the HP Institute, an academic partnership programme that will provide students with the business-ready IT skills that are in short supply within the industry.
HP Institute brings practical experience and job-ready skills into an academic setting, packaged in a way to help the UK improve its workforce, the company said.
The company will work with schools, colleges and universities across the UK to deliver the courses that improves the IT skills of over 20,000 people over the next four years.
The academic partnership programme will offer HP Accredited Technical Associate (ATA) qualification which enables academic institutions to elevate degree programmes to potential employers by providing qualified graduates.
HP partnered with Certiport to distribute the academic programme and the company will offer links between graduates and HP’s 8,000 alliance partner and reseller network in the UK.
HP UK and Ireland vice-president and managing director Nick Wilson said HP’s customer and channel partners are experiencing a growing shortage of job-ready IT professionals with the right skills to grow.
"HP is starting the Institute programme to address this need," said Wilson.
