Leeds College of Building has welcomed the recent announcement on expanding technical education pathways for young people from the age of 14.
The College believes the reforms are a significant endorsement of the specialist, employer-led approach it has championed for decades.
The announcement, it says, presents a major opportunity to build on that success by expanding the College’s capacity to educate more learners, support more employers and help meet the UK’s growing demand for skilled construction professionals.
Nikki Davis, Principal and CEO of Leeds College of Building, said: “This announcement sends a powerful message that technical education is fundamental to the UK’s future prosperity. Placing technical and academic pathways on an equal footing recognises the vital role that specialist education plays in supporting economic growth, improving social mobility and developing the skilled workforce our country needs.
“Leeds College of Building has been delivering this vision for many years. As a UK CTEC, we have built our reputation on working in partnership with employers to provide industry-led technical education that responds directly to workforce demand and prepares learners for successful careers.
“The challenge is no longer demonstrating that this model works – it is ensuring we have the capacity to meet growing demand. Our proposed expansion will enable us to build on our existing strengths by creating more specialist teaching space, investing in additional industry-standard facilities and providing opportunities for more than 2,100 additional learners to access outstanding technical education.
“This investment is about expanding a proven national model. It will help more young people develop the skills needed to build the homes, schools, hospitals and infrastructure the country requires, while supporting employers to address persistent skills shortages and deliver the UK’s ambitions for growth and net zero.”
Image: Leeds College of Building CEO & Principal, Nikki Davis.
