Minister urges colleges to train next generation

COLLEGE principals from across the region will be urged today to play their part in helping to sustain the economy through tough times and to help people gain new skills.

In a speech to principals and governors of the Association of Colleges Yorkshire & the Humber today the Yorkshire & Humber Minister Rosie Winterton will tell delegates that colleges’ work with local businesses and employers is crucial to ensure that education and training were meeting the needs of the changing economy.

The Association, meeting in Doncaster, represents 38 further education colleges in the region which provide training for over 353,000 students in subjects as diverse as engineering to equine services and floristry to fashion.

Rosie Winterton said:”The landscape in which we now live and work is changing, and one of the most important tasks we have, and one the Government is committed to, is improving the education and skills of the nation. Colleges will know the seriousness of the economic challenges their communities face. These challenges, brought about by global social, economic and environmental changes, are only likely to increase.

“It is more important than ever that all the educational resources in the region are geared up and ready to respond effectively to new demands. We must do all we can to ensure young people can achieve through education and training and that our adult workforce can gain new skills and qualifications. Colleges can help people secure those qualifications so they can get jobs – and then update those skills to get better jobs further down the line,” she said.

She added that a further £30m had been announced last month to boost colleges’ capacity to use Train to Gain.

Ms Winterton added: “While most colleges are engaging with this initiative, some are still reluctant to do so. Colleges should now be able to help employers get through these tough economic times with the minimum of bureaucracy.”