Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Metcalfe Excerpts

Monday 2nd March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mark Fletcher (Bolsover) (Con)]

3. What steps he is taking to ensure further education colleges are able to deliver skills required for the future.

[Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) (Con)]

11. What steps he is taking to ensure further education colleges are able to deliver skills required for the future.

[Alexander Stafford (Rother Valley) (Con)]

16. What steps he is taking to ensure further education colleges are able to deliver skills required for the future.

--- Later in debate ---

[Stephen Metcalfe]

As the Government envoy for engineering, may I welcome last week’s announcement of over £14 million to improve college leadership? Does my hon. Friend agree that quality leadership is a vital part of ensuring that colleges are able to deliver the engineering skills our economy will need in the future?

[Gillian Keegan]

I should like to start by paying tribute to the leadership that my hon. Friend has shown in championing the cause of apprenticeships in his role as a national apprenticeship ambassador, a role that I held myself. On the issue that he has raised, strong leadership and governance are critical to the success of colleges, and this funding will help colleges to invest in current and future leaders. South Essex College, which has campuses around the south Essex area, is just one example of how good leadership can deliver for local businesses and for young people, including many of my hon. Friend’s own constituents.