Heartfelt pledge at centre of Colleges Week

Image caption: Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive

Following on from the success of last year’s ‘Love Our Colleges’ campaign, North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College is supporting Colleges Week (14-18 October 2019) by highlighting the amazing work colleges do and why long-term term investment is crucial to the future of the sector.

The College is taking part in the #LoveOurColleges campaign by sending a pledge card to its local MPs, Marcus Jones, Neil O’Brien, Craig Tracey and David Tredinnick, inviting them in to see the life-changing work that colleges do every day, asking them to write to the Chancellor to urge him to include a long-term funding plan for colleges in the next Comprehensive Spending Review, and encouraging them to ask a question in Parliament about college funding.

During the week, students will get involved in activities to mark Colleges Week including a treasure hunt at all campuses in which they will be invited to hunt the golden heart.

The Government has committed to colleges in recent months, but this must be followed by sustainable, long term funding. The College is calling on Parliament to ensure it remains a priority within next year’s long-term spending budget.

North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College’s five campuses are at the heart of their communities i.e. working with businesses and helping to educate and train thousands of young people and adults each year. Despite this, colleges all around the country have had to deal with an average of 30% cut to its funding over the last decade.

Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Principal and Chief Executive said: “Our aim is to ensure that all our students are properly equipped with the skills they need to make a difference in whatever discipline they choose. Colleges Week not only highlights the need for proper investment to make this happen but also showcases the amazing role our college plays in its local communities.

“This week of action comes at a critical time. The significant contribution that further education makes to society must be recognised and long-term investment is vital if we are to build the successful economy we need post-Brexit.”

David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “The £400m funding boost announced in the spending review and the Secretary of State’s speech at the Conservative Party conference showed that the government is committed to investing in further education and skills. However, there are many funding and policy challenges to grapple with to ensure colleges can thrive in the long term. Now more than ever we need highly skilled, well-educated workforces to deliver for our economy and country.

“Colleges Week this year is about celebrating the amazing work colleges do, educating 2.2 million people every year, including more than 600,000 16 to 18-year-olds. Colleges have been neglected in recent years and proper funding for adult education is still urgently needed. This week is about making our voices heard and campaigning with partners to make sure colleges continue to be a serious political, economic and social priority.”