It’s Colleges Week, which is an opportunity to celebrate the amazing work taking place throughout the sector. Andrew Western would like to take this opportunity to recognise the contribution of Trafford College to local students and businesses in Stretford and Urmston.

The celebrations come as Labour Leader Keir Starmer has pledged to create new Technical Excellence Colleges, to equip young people with the skills that local businesses need to boost economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity.

Existing FE Colleges will be supported to respond to locally agreed skills plans, working hand-in-hand with businesses to align skills and training provision with local need to ensure employers can source more of the skilled workers they need from local communities.

Andrew Western MP said new Technical Excellence Colleges will lead a decade of national renewal after Labour analysis revealed that apprenticeship starts have dropped.

Labour have already pledged to reform the Conservative’s failed apprenticeship levy into a ‘Growth and Skills Levy’, so it can be used on a greater range of training courses, giving businesses the flexibility they need to retrain and upskill their existing workforce as well as creating more opportunities for young people.

Commenting, Andrew Western MP said: “I’d like to take the opportunity of Colleges Week celebrate the contribution of Trafford College to our community here in Stretford and Urmston and the opportunities they provide to students, adults and local businesses.

“The Conservatives have delivered more than a decade of decline in skills training, neglecting our colleges and the vital role they play in boosting skills across our economy.

“That’s why I’m proud that Labour will put colleges at the heart of our mission to break down the barriers to opportunity, delivering a new generation of Technical Excellence Colleges by supporting colleges to specialise in response to local employers’ skills needs.

“More training opportunities so people can gain new skills, access better jobs and grow our economy. That’s the difference that a Labour government will make.”