Norfolk & Suffolk could be 'trailblazer' for Government's skills programme
Peter Aldous is promoting the region
Last updated 4th Mar 2021
Norfolk and Suffolk are well placed to be a trailblazer for a reforming post-16 education and training.
That's according to Waveney's MP, Peter Aldous, who wants to know a timetable for the 'Skills for Jobs' White Paper, which aims to give young people the skills they need in a flexible way, to enable them to get better jobs, within sectors the economy needs.
Speaking in a meeting on the issue, Mr Aldous said:
"In Suffolk and Norfolk, the colleges, the chambers of commerce and the local enterprise partnership are keen to get on with putting these plans into practice so as to ensure both that there are exciting and well-paid jobs available locally for young people, and that our region is well placed to take advantage of the great opportunities in the energy, logistics and agritech sectors. I will be most grateful if my hon. Friend sets out the timetable and the criteria for selecting skills for jobs trailblazers, and if she can confirm that a bid from our region will be welcome."
Responding to Mr Aldous, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan said:
"I am delighted to hear that there is such enthusiasm in Suffolk and Norfolk for engaging with and helping to implement our flagship reforms. We will run an open process to select the trailblazing local areas in which the first local skills improvement plans will be developed. We will certainly welcome a bid from Suffolk and Norfolk, championed no doubt by my hon. Friends the Members for Waveney (Peter Aldous), and for Ipswich (Tom Hunt). Further information, including the criteria for selection, will be announced very shortly, so there is not long to wait."