In the spirit of cooperation, Advance Energy and Charles Sturt University will come together to share expertise and business knowledge, under a unique agreement being signed in Bathurst today.

The Cooperative Agreement will see two of the largest employers in regional NSW, working more closely together in a range of collaborative projects to support business and academic development.

In what might have been thought of as an unlikely partnership, the two organisations will develop relationships in areas such as information technology, risk management, professional development, recruiting, finance, marketing and community relations.

"Despite being very different organisations, both CSU and Advance Energy are facing increasingly deregulated environments," said CSU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr Peter Hodgson.

"It is self-evident that we are not competitors and we recognise that each has experience and expertise to offer the other.

"The agreement opens up opportunities for staff to share ideas and expertise and students stand to gain significantly from possible employment and research opportunities."

According to Advance Energy's Managing Director, Craig Murray, the Cooperative Agreement will successfully build on a long-term relationship between the two organisations, which has been based on educational opportunities.

"In 1997, CSU agreed to deliver a professional attainment program that would meet Advance Energy's specific industry and management requirements, and help move our technical employees into management careers.

"The program provides an excellent education opportunity for our employees, while helping to develop an educated workforce in central NSW.

"Similarly, the Cooperative Agreement will lay the foundation for projects which will benefit not just the two organisations involved, but also the central western community", said Craig.

Advance Energy's Chairman, Warren Elliott and CSU's Vice Chancellor Professor Cliff Blake will meet to sign the Cooperative Agreement at the Centre for Professional Development at Charles Sturt University from 12.30pm.