The Association of Colleges (AoC) has developed a ‘Love Our Colleges’ campaign which takes place from Monday 15th October to Friday 19th October, to highlight the invaluable contribution that colleges make in transforming lives and communities through education.
During this week, colleges across the country will be hosting various activities and events to showcase the great things that colleges do every day, to support people of all ages and backgrounds, and help them to maximise their full potential.
Colleges rooted in local communities, are a crucial driving force behind social mobility and providing the skills to boost local and regional economies. However, there is currently a reduction in education funding once a student turns 16, whether they are in a school sixth form or a college.
‘Love Our Colleges’ is calling on the government to increase 16-19 funding by 5% a year for the next five years. It is also asking the Department for Education to provide immediate exceptional funding, ring-fenced, to support teachers’ pay.
In support of the national ‘Love Our Colleges’ campaign, St Helens College have launched their 2019 Connecting Classroom to Career campaign, to shine a light on how the College’s diverse provision, facilities, experienced teaching staff and strong employer links, contribute to students’ making the most of their talents and achieving their potential. The campaign features nine successful, current students and alumni, who have secured positions in the top end of their chosen industries or have progressed on to university.
Dr Jette Burford, Chief Executive of St Helens College, said: “Our College has served its community for over 120 years, working closely with employers and organisations to power the economic development and welfare of the local community.
“However, colleges over the last decade have had to face an average 30% funding cut, whilst costs have increased dramatically. This is why it is incredibly important to highlight the transformational work colleges carry out across the country, and how in order to continue to have this impact and ensure economic success, proper investment is vital.”
David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges, said: “Every single day colleges like St Helens College, provide a world class education and transform the lives of millions of people.
This campaign is an opportunity to celebrate the brilliant things that go on and a chance to showcase the brilliant staff that make it possible. It is simple, if we want a world-class education system then we need to properly invest in it.”
For more information about St Helens College and Connecting Classroom to Career, visit www.sthelens.ac.uk.