White Paper Response

At New College Durham we welcome the government’s commitment to delivering a post-16 education system that will ensure everyone can gain the skills they need to progress in work at any stage of their lives.

The reforms propose to focus on the needs of employers which is in line with our current strategy. For many years, we have worked closely with local employers to build relevant educational programmes that develop the skills, behaviours and knowledge that employers really need. We involve employers in our course design to ensure our provision equips students with the skills needed today and in the future.  Our strong links with local and national businesses enable us to provide key industry figures as guest speakers and offer our students access to excellent work placement opportunities.

Having the opportunity to continuously upskill throughout life benefits individuals, communities and the local economy. The Lifetime Skills Guarantee will offer adults the chance to retrain in later life, helping them to gain in-demand skills and open up further job opportunities. We currently actively encourage adults into higher education by offering flexible learning that fits around family and work commitments, accepting non-standard entry criteria and providing additional support to learners.

The college has already been involved in the government initial reforms to transform the post-16 landscape. New College Durham was awarded the licence to operate as the North East Institute of Technology, one of only 12 in the country. The Institute of Technology will support regional development and ensure our students are highly employable once they have completed their courses. The college is also involved with pioneering the new T Level qualifications.

Andy Broadbent, Principal and CEO at New College Durham commented:

“Going forward, colleges will play an even more crucial role in delivering the skills vital for employers and individuals to succeed. We are excited to be part of the transformation that will ensure that high quality vocational and technical skills training are accessible to all. The new initiatives will have a clear economic and social impact and help to secure a better future for young people, adults and businesses.”

 

For more information, visit FE Week.