Manchester United and innovative higher education provider University Academy 92 (UA92) have announced a strategic education and employment partnership.

UA92 and Manchester United will work together to provide work experience and mentoring opportunities to the students, with the club’s staff also delivering guest lectures and curriculum guidance to help prepare the students for future employment.

The first work experience programme took place last month with a group of seven students being involved in week-long placements across a range of departments at United including Media, Communications, Venue Marketing, Sports Science and Venue Operations.

Manchester United also see the partnership as a chance to support their longer-term recruitment plans, helping to attract young people from across Greater Manchester and beyond who come from a range of different backgrounds.

Both parties will also work together to engage and encourage local communities into education pathways and address socio-economic challenges faced by young people in the area.

Collette Roche, Chief Operating Officer at Manchester United said: “We admire UA92’s approach to education. They have a clear goal to unlock the potential of the young people that they work with and help them to overcome the barriers that they face. That really resonated with us.

“As neighbouring organisations, we will work together to develop the curriculum even further and offer the students relevant work experience to help them on their career journey.

“This partnership also forms part of our broader plan to diversify our workforce and attract the very best people to work for the club in the future.”

Sara Prowse, CEO of UA92 commented: “Working with a club such as Manchester United is incredibly exciting. We have a strong foundation in place for this partnership and will work together to support young people in Greater Manchester and beyond into higher education and onto successful careers.

“Our students have already had some fantastic guest lectures and interactive sessions from some of the Manchester United team and we have a programme of work placements and mentoring in place for next year. The opportunity for our students to start to form direct relationships with Manchester United colleagues is a wonderful opportunity and I look forward to seeing this partnership grow and flourish.”