Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrea Jenkyns and James Grundy

Monday 24th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[James Grundy (Leigh) (Con)]

12. What steps his Department is taking to facilitate collaboration between colleges and employers.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Andrea Jenkyns)]

Local skills improvement plans place employers at the heart of local school systems, facilitating more dynamic working arrangements between employers and training providers to make technical education more responsive to employers’ needs in the area. All areas in England now have a designated employer representative body in place to lead on devising their plans.

[James Grundy]

Does my hon. Friend agree that institutions such as Wigan and Leigh College which work with employers to create bespoke qualifications that lead directly into in-demand work are an excellent blueprint for other educational institutions to follow?

[Andrea Jenkyns]

I know that my hon. Friend is a real advocate for colleges in his area and I thank him for his question. Local skills improvement plans will forge stronger and more dynamic partnerships between employers and providers that will enable training to be more responsive to local skills needs. The relationship between Wigan and Leigh College and local employers aligns closely with the aims of this improved collaboration. It is a great example of how stakeholders can work together to meet local skills needs and help people to get good jobs. I would be delighted to visit my hon. Friend’s constituency to see its great work in progress.