A coastal college has given its backing to a national campaign calling for an increase in funding for technical education.
Stuart Rimmer, chief executive of East Coast College, joined national further education leaders and MPs - including Waveney MP Peter Aldous - for the launch of the Mind the Skills Gap campaign at Parliament on Wednesday, March 1.
The campaign aims to highlight to parliamentarians, Government and other key decision makers that without further investment colleges will not be able to fill the skills gaps in key areas of the economy and deliver the labour market the country needs.
Stuart Rimmer, chief executive of East Coast College which has campuses in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth, said: "For too long further education funding has been declining in real terms.
"Funding rates are significantly less than school funding or university funding.
"What this means is we can provide less courses, less opportunity, less quality, and it’s far more difficult to look after staff and students in a way they deserve."
Speaking on behalf of East Coast College’s student union, president Inaya Ayub, said: “We feel funding for the college is extremely important in helping students and adult learners reach their full potential.
"Colleges provide a variety of resources to help students succeed, including financial support, which can be essential for students who may not be able to afford college tuition, or other expenses."
Hosted by the Association of Colleges, Association of Employment and Learning Providers and City and Guilds under the banner of the Future Skills Coalition, the Mind the Skills Gap campaign is the first in a series of activities planned.
Mr Rimmer added: "The Government needs a productive and highly skilled national workforce in the green and digital economy.
"The only way this can happen is to invest in colleges now.
"Give us the money and we’ll continue to do amazing work in our communities.
"It is time to substantially raise the funding rates."
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