College Praised at Annual AoC Conference
The achievements of the FE sector are a cause for huge celebration, apprenticeships and skills minister Robert Halfon has told college leaders.
Robert (pictured on a recent visit to the College) was upbeat in a speech last week to the Association of Colleges annual conference, in Birmingham, stressing that every town should be proud of its college.
He gave particular praise to Harlow College, saying: "I'm proud to say that my views have been shaped by my own local college in Harlow over the years since I was elected as their MP.
"I have been inspired by the transformative effect the college has had on the community itself.
"I believe that colleges are not only beacons of education, but also civic institutions at the heart of our communities.
"That is why I have visited Harlow College 50 times since 2010, and why I intend to visit many more."
Looking at the national picture, he added: "We should be proud: Out of 385 colleges; 19 per cent are outstanding, and 61 per cent are good.
"But even more significant are the statistics showing the destinations of adult students who complete FE courses: 64 per cent get jobs, 20 per cent go into further learning, and 4 per cent go on to university."
The article comes courtesy of Paul Offord and Jude Burke from FE Week