Regional college chief Ian Pryce CBE, has welcomed the news by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, that Further Education is being recognised as the route to recovery for the UK in 2021.
He applauds funding for free education for those over 19 who want to take up technical courses in pursuit of jobs in the “new normal”.
Said Ian, Principal and CEO of The Bedford College Group: “Yet another good announcement, extending free advanced level technical programmes to all ages.
“There seems finally to be a realisation that Further Education is key to the economic recovery.”
Right now, The Bedford College Group, which includes Tresham College in Northamptonshire, has been maintaining its message to the community throughout the crisis: Come to us for a career courses has huge numbers of full-time students signed up for apprenticeships, technical and vocational options.
Recruitment is on-going among those adults over 19 who want to upgrade or refresh skills, or make career changes in this fast-moving economic climate.
From the Learning Centres at Bedford, Kettering and Corby where basic IT skills can be honed in to obtain employer-recognised qualiications, to professional courses and Higher Education or degree-level learning, the college campuses across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire are proving ever more popular.
The Bedford College Group has been maintaining its links with 1,000s of businesses, small and multinational, across the region, including Milton Keynes during the Covid-19 crisis.
The Business Development team led by Gina Bubbins is now is advising companies on how to make the most of new recruitment and training funding and opportunities which are available.
In business areas like construction, technology and warehousing and distribution, The Bedford College Group has unparalleled contacts and has been helping employers find and upscale staff – from apprentices to those being promoted via degree education.
Said Gina: “If businesses large or small want to talk to us we can take them through what money is available and how to make the most of the new Apprenticeship funding. We know they are busy in these challenging times, but we can help them navigate the paperwork and procedures.”
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