Baroness Jacqui Smith Visits Southport College and KGV to Discuss Skills Revolution

Posted on:
mp

Yesterday (Thursday 25th September), Southport College and KGV were pleased to welcome Baroness Jacqui Smith, the Minister for Skills in the Department for Education, alongside Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport.

Baroness Smith was able to speak with students across both colleges, as well as view the wide range of courses offered: from the on-site restaurant and nursery led by students, to animal management and carpentry workshops.

Southport's young people are among those set to benefit from the 120,000 new training opportunities across England as part of the government’s radical skills revolution, giving them the chance to develop skills where they are most needed across the workforce to rebuild Britain. The measures, backed by a record-breaking £3 billion apprenticeship budget, will open up opportunities for young people to succeed in careers the country vitally needs to prosper.

This is a critical step in delivering Labour’s Plan for Change to create a decade of national renewal, backing our young people and investing in skills.

Baroness Smith, Minister for Skills, said:

“Colleges like Southport College and KGV are at the heart of this government’s Plan for Change, and we will continue to back them through our £590 million investment in colleges and other FE institutions.

I loved meeting students training at the colleges. The skills they hone here will help them to maximise their life chances and break down barriers to opportunity for their chosen careers.”

Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport, said:

"It was a pleasure to welcome the Minister for Skills to Southport this afternoon. Over the course of two hours, we discussed the challenges facing Southport College and KGV.

We have pledged to work together, alongside local stakeholders, to resolve the issues facing the sector in the interests of Southport's next generation." 

Michelle Brabner, CEO and Principal at Southport Education Group, said:

"It has been excellent to discuss first-hand with the Minister for Skills the issues facing our sector, as well as to showcase the exceptional hard work of our students and staff across both colleges."