Further education colleges mark anniversary with skills partnership awards

A body formed by further education colleges and independent training providers across the region has marked its first successful year by presenting Skills Partnership Awards to 13 employers which have invested in education and training. 

The Skills West Midlands + Warwickshire awards, established as a one-stop shop for business,  was staged staged at PwC’s offices in Paradise, Birmingham.

The event featured remarks from the Skills Minister, Baroness Smith of Malvern, and the Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker.

Speaking at the event, Suzie Branch-Haddow (pictured), chair of the Skills WM+W Steering Group and Vice Principal at BMet, said: “Skills West Midlands + Warwickshire is bringing two worlds closer together, demystifying the world of further and technical education.

“Our task is to inspire, to engage with business and to remove barriers – visible or invisible. We’re in the business of offering skills solutions.

“We’re changing the culture around how we work and how we engage with employers. More fundamentally, we’re in the business of changing lives.

“Not just equipping people with skills and qualifications but giving them the confidence to succeed.”

“I’m so pleased that we’ve recognised some great businesses.

“What we learn from them is that businesses which are engaged with the FE system experience improved recruitment and retention of staff. In short, business engagement pays dividends and makes our products better.”

Excellence in Skills Partnership Awards winners were:

Skills minister Jacqui Smith said: "Skills West Midlands and Warwickshire is showing exactly how the system should work, bringing education providers and businesses together to address skills gaps and create real opportunities for young people and adults alike.

“This joined-up approach doesn’t just fill vacancies, it gives students the confidence, direction and opportunities they need to build successful careers, while strengthening the workforce in the region’s key industries."

West Midlands mayor Richard Parker added: “Only by working together can we tackle the unemployment challenge in the West Midlands.

“By strengthening relationships with employers and improving how we design and deliver training, we can unleash the potential of people and help businesses grow.

“It’s why it is important to celebrate how Skills West Midlands and Warwickshire is supporting businesses to build the workforce in growth industries of the future.”

Three Innovation Hubs launched across the region, backed by WMCA and Innovate UK, are driving regional business innovation through technology adoption and training for small businesses.

Skills WM+W is now part of the West Midlands Digital Skills Consortium addressing the urgent need for a skilled digital workforce in the region.