HERE at the LEP creating an area of
Skilled and Inspired people is one of our priorities. In our area we are lucky to have some top quality local education providers who support our skills aspirations. Here’s a quick overview of some of the recent achievements that the LEP Skills Board have contributed to, and some successes from our colleges and training providers; including nationally acclaimed colleges, the UK's best student and more!
World Class facilities
The LEP was pleased to see the completion of two campus redevelopment projects it helped fund. A £2.4m project at
Askham Bryan 
College built a new Agri-Tech Innovation Centre and Land Based Engineering Workshop, supported by £1.6m Local Growth Funding from the LEP.
£3m of Local Growth Funding from the LEP went towards a £6m redevelopment of Harrogate College, including a new Technology Centre and transformation of old buildings into a working high street. Both projects are now open for use and provide first-class facilities essential to building skills fit for the workplace.
Best in Country Colleges
Selby College has received the
accolade of best performing college in the country for helping unemployed people find work. This title follows data published from the Department of Education. The study found that 71 per cent of learners who were receiving unemployment benefits before the start of their study at Selby College found sustained employment following their courses.
Selby has also been named the
highest-performing college in Yorkshire and second in England after an
FE Week survey ranking colleges on apprenticeships, helping learners find work and satisfaction.
Calderdale College, who are leading on two of our current ESF projects, have been awarded the prestigious
Association of Colleges Beacon
Award (AoC) for engagement with employers. Employers and their employees in our region will benefit from Calderdale College’s expertise directly through a range of options including; workforce development for SME’s, response to redundancy support, better support with internships and developing higher level skills solutions.
The Grimsby Institute of Higher Education also received a Beacon Award - a
Gateway Qualifications Award for widening participation in learning.
While Craven College recently celebrated student Michal Kolanski being named
UK student of the year by the Association of Colleges.
Nationally Competitive Apprentices
Engineering apprentices Alexander Mason and Daniel Coupland from East Riding College made it to the
finals of the World Skills competition in Birmingham on Wednesday 16
th November. They competed in Computer Numerical Controlled Machining – cutting designs from complex technical drawings. They represented the top six apprentices in the UK. Alex has also helped deliver CNC master classes on behalf of East Riding College to employers in the area. Some great examples of how apprenticeship deliver top quality skills.
Strong Role Models
Dale Power apprentices have been doing great work as apprentice ambassadors in their local schools. They attended a recent careers event at Norton College where they were all former students.
The team of apprentices were keen to ensure that pupils at the college have as much information as possible about the value of apprenticeships and could hear first-hand about the benefits of considering an apprenticeship as a progression route. This is a great example of the value of building links between schools and employers. That’s what it’s all about!