DIGITAL learning specialist Virtual College has joined forces with historic global publishing group William Reed Business Media, to help plug the skills gap in the food sector.

The Ilkley-based company has also signed a partnership deal with Bradford College to widen online learning opportunities for students.

William Reed Training has been formed to provide Virtual College’s existing courses to the food sector. It will also develop a range of new e-learning materials with the aim of becoming the food sector's main digital training provider.

Rod Knox, Virtual College founder and chief executive, said: “William Reed is a perfect partner for Virtual College with its outstanding relationships across the food, drink and hotel markets.”

Charles Reed, managing director of William Reed Business Media, added:” I’m very pleased to be partnering with an e-learning business with Virtual College’s outstanding reputation and proven excellence in technology and content development.”

William Reed Business Media has been providing journalism, information, research, events and awards for more than 150 years. and is a trusted resource in global food and drink markets.

The new strategic partnership with Bradford College will aim to combine the college's vocational learning heritage with Virtual College's bite-sized digital learning courses to provide a much wider choice of online learning options for students in Bradford and elsewhere.

Andy Welsh, Bradford College chief executive , said:“With a shared digital vision and passion, coupled with the creativity and expertise of both parties, the partnership will create a powerful leading edge solution that could be the envy of the vocational education sector.

“We are setting out our goals for the next five years and they include providing an excellent student experience for everyone who studies with us, whether they are in the region, or further afield. Technology provides a means to exploit our assets and progress our ambitions to widen our sphere of influence to the rest of the UK and overseas.”

The move comes as the Government is demanding that colleges embrace the use of new learning technologies.

The first outcome of the partnership sees Bradford College offering more than 200 of Virtual College’s online vocational courses through its website , which are available globally.

Last month Bradford College held its first online learning mini conference in its new. Advanced Technology Centre where staff discussed online learning in education.

Meanwhile, more than 200 Virtual College staff celebrated the firm's 20th anniversary

at the Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley.

The company was a pioneer in the online learning arena and its courses are now used by nearly two million people .