LIVERPOOL Community College has signed up as a headline sponsor for next year’s Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC).

The event takes place in March, at the BT Convention Centre, and is set to attract economists and entrepreneurs from more than 120 countries.

Liverpool is the first European city to hold the event, which is run by the US-based Kauffman Foundation.

Previous host cities were Kansas City in 2009, Dubai in 2010 and Shanghai in 2011.

Elaine Bowker, principal of Liverpool Community College, told LDP Business: “This is an excellent opportunity for the college, which is already working internationally to bring investment into the city.

“Through the success of our Work Academy, which is now being rolled out nationally, and our apprenticeship schemes, we’ve been able to help create a skilled and flexible workforce in the city region.”

Up to 3,000 delegates are expected at GEC 2012 and will hear from speakers including Sir Terry Leahy, former chief executive of Tesco, Carl Schramm, head of the Kaufmann Foundation, and Lord Heseltine.

The college joins Lloyds TSB as a major sponsor of the GEC. The bank will back the event to the tune of £100,000.

Max Steinberg, chief executive of regeneration agency, Liverpool Vision, said: “There is no doubt that Liverpool Community College is a leader in its field. The GEC gives the college a platform to showcase this pioneering work globally, as it further develops its links with the emerging economies.”