For the first time in living memory, college leaders from Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have come together to speak with one voice to urge the UK Government to put investing in FE and skills at the heart of its Comprehensive Spending Review.
The letter, signed by leaders from Belfast to Bridgend and Shetland to Somerset, emphasises the indispensable role of colleges in driving growth, creating opportunities, and fulfilling the government's key missions, including kickstarting economic growth.
Published jointly by the Association of Colleges, ColegauCymru, Colleges Scotland, and the further education colleges in Northern Ireland, it backs the Government’s ambitions for economic growth and opportunity but says that to truly deliver on these, Whitehall must invest more in colleges and work with them as partners.
The letter cites three core elements where colleges help deliver on the Government’s agenda:
- Empowering Young People Colleges are the launchpads for young people, equipping them with the education and skills they need to soar into meaningful employment.
- Supporting Industry From the NHS to construction, colleges are the backbone of our industrial strategy, providing the essential skills that power our growth sectors.
- Uplifting Adults Colleges are the champions of lifelong learning, helping adults enhance their literacy, maths, and digital skills, and enabling them to contribute fully to our economy and communities.
The letter makes clear that without sustained and adequate investment, the UK risks falling behind in global competitiveness and failing to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving labour market.
While education and skills policy is devolved, the letter stresses the importance of UK Government decisions in shaping the funding available to devolved administrations. Investment in skills in the spending review, it argues, would demonstrate a commitment to inclusive, nation-wide growth and provide the devolved governments with the resources needed to properly support their college sectors.
ColegauCymru Chair, and Chief Executive and Principal of The College Merthyr Tydfil, Lisa Thomas, said,
“This powerful joint statement reflects the strength of feeling right across the UK that investment in further education must be a top priority for the Prime Minister. Colleges in Wales are experiencing acute financial pressures. Additional, sustained investment is critical to enable colleges to deliver the skills needed for key industries, support our learners, and for communities to prosper. We urge the UK Government to equip the devolved administrations with the funding they need to ensure colleges can play their full part in building a stronger, fairer, greener economy.”
Further Information
Clare Williams, Policy Officer
Clare.Williams@ColegauCymru.ac.uk
