John Hayes MP,
Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, met young students and apprentices at their new college buildings on Thursday.
The Minister saw first hand how investment in local education and training is poised to drive economic growth in the area. Iconic new buildings at Northbrook College in Worthing are the first phase in the building of an outstanding centre for vocational training and skills.
Partly funded by the Minister’s Department, the building project is a testament to the defining role that skills are playing in the country’s recovery from downturn. Northbrook College’s apprenticeship success rates are excellent and the College currently trains more than 1500 apprentices in addition to high numbers of vocational students. Apprenticeship schemes such as these provide industry with the skills needed to drive growth.
Expected growth is of course seen in the context of low carbon sustainability, and Northbrook’s new buildings include a ‘sustainable classroom’ designed to teach and showcase sustainable building techniques.
Northbrook’s Principal, Sue Dare, says, “We expect that this exciting development will provide increased opportunities for the local community and for businesses in the region.”
Picture Left to Right: Sue Dare (Principal of Northbrook College), John Hayes MP, Peter Bottomley MP, Dean Wynter (Northbrook head of Construction)