PM speech - Colleges delighted with government commitment on skills

David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges said: “It is great to see a prime minister speak so passionately about the power of further education and skills and to back those words with actions that can truly make a difference.

“The new target that puts high level skills, attained either through an apprenticeship or attending college, on a par with a university degree will help drive a step change in the skills and education landscape. For too long the 50% target has washed ambitions on technical education and apprenticeships, so I am delighted to see that change.

“For decades, I have been fighting to place further education at the heart of economic growth and inclusion and I am personally pleased the prime minister has pledged his personal commitment to that.

“Every college leader will be as delighted as I am because delivering high quality technical education and apprenticeships and higher education are what they have been delivering day in, day out – despite the years of funding cuts they have suffered. To build on the 147,000 people currently on apprenticeship provision in colleges, we now need to see the investment match the ambition.

“We know there is demand for skills from workers and employers in key sectors from green skills to engineering and construction skills to childcare and the NHS. Colleges can help employers be more productive and give people the opportunity to secure the jobs for a better life.

“With nine out 10 colleges judged good or outstanding for overall effectiveness at their most recent inspection by Ofsted, the commitment to Technical Excellence Colleges and improving the quality of teaching can only strengthen a sector that is delivering so much already.”