COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT News Release (186) issued by The Government News Network
on 18 July 2008
A major new
package of measures to improve skills and education in the Thames
Gateway was unveiled today by Housing Minister Caroline Flint and
Further Education Minister Bill Rammell.
Improving the skills base of residents is at the heart of a
£2.45bn programme to reinvigorate Thames Gateway. With new jobs
being created, and to meet the future skills required to fill
those posts, a new Thames Gateway Skills Plan and Champion was
also announced today.
The Thames Gateway Skills Plan, which will be delivered through
the Learning and Skills Council, equips local people with the
training they need to fill skills shortages in the region by:
* setting out how £1.6 billion for teaching and learning will be
rolled-out, including how £1bn will be spent on raising young
people's educational attainment through initiatives such as
expanding school sixth-forms and work-based training;
* outlining how a further £850 million for new Further Education
facilities will be delivered - such as a new FE College in Grays,
Essex and the first FE college in Swale, Sittingbourne;
* ensuring access to skills and qualifications, such as rolling
out the September Guarantee;
* more opportunities to progress onto higher level skills and
jobs, including a pledge to drive up the number of employers,
young people and adults taking up and completing apprenticeship programmes;
* providing clear career advice for young people and adults, such
as linking up with JobCentre Plus.
Spearheading the transformation of skills in the region is Sir
David Melville, currently Chair of Lifelong Learning UK, who is to
be appointed the first Thames Gateway Skills Envoy. Sir
David's role will bring together business, local authorities,
and further education and higher education institutions for the
benefit of the local communities and local people.
Housing Minister Caroline Flint said:
"We want to see real change in education and skills in the
Gateway, ensuring every individual in the area can play their part
in the challenges ahead.
"The Skills Plan is a big step forward in making that a
reality and why the Government is backing these plans with
millions of pounds of investment."
Further Education Minister Bill Rammell said:
"Skills are the key to successful companies, sustainable
communities and individual prosperity. That's why we are
making this investment in skills for the Thames Gateway, ensuring
every resident is empowered to contribute to the social
regeneration and long-term competitiveness of the region."
Sir David Melville said:
"I am honoured to be appointed as Skills Envoy for the
Thames Gateway.
"Our key aims are to ensure that skills levels are raised
throughout the Gateway so that local people can take full
advantage of the employment opportunities of this major
regeneration project and employers are able to meet all of their
skills needs."
Mike Pettifer, Learning and Skills Council Area Director - London
East said:
"Raising the aspirations and appetite for learning among the
local population is crucial so that they can compete for the new
jobs that will be created as part of the Thames Gateway
Regeneration Project.
"We are already seeing improved skills provision due to
increased capital investment in the area, resulting in more
learners staying on in post-16 education and a reduction in NEET
figures. Employers are also tackling the skills gap and training
their staff through the Train to Gain programme, which was piloted
in the region from 2003."
Notes to editors
The Learning and Skills Council Thames Gateway Skills Plan
2008/09 can be found at: http://www.lsc.gov.uk/regions/London/Publications/Latestdocuments/Detail.htm?id=3662a9c9-d17a-4afb-9e15-e1f314b3a1c5
News Releases: http://www.communities.gov.uk/newsroom