Member Article

Secretary of State for Education praises B&FC for work with industry

Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) was delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Education for a wide-ranging discussion on post 16 education and training and a tour of some of its outstanding education and training facilities.

During the visit, the Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP visited the College’s cutting-edge maritime and offshore facilities at Fleetwood Nautical Campus and Blackpool Build Up, which offers entry-level construction skills securing over 90% progression into sustainable employment.

He also met with B&FC’s Principal and Chief Executive, Bev Robinson OBE, to discuss B&FC’s Ofsted Outstanding technical and professional education provision and the wider FE sector.

B&FC is the largest college provider of higher education STEM courses in England* and prepares people for rewarding careers in a wide range of specialised fields.

During the visit, the Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP, said: “It’s been really nice to meet Bev Robinson and the team here at Blackpool and The Fylde College.

“They’re doing some really interesting things and have got quite a diverse range of courses and activities going on at the College and the maritime sector is obviously central.

“One of the things that’s very impressive about the operation here is how linked in and connected with businesses’ needs the College is throughout the maritime sector.

“It is, of course, a business that this country has such a long and proud history in and such a great reputation in the world and what’s happening here at Blackpool and The Fylde College is helping to sustain and enhance that, and making sure the next generation of mariners are coming through with the level of skills they need.”

Bev Robinson OBE added: “It was a pleasure to welcome the new Secretary of State for Education to Blackpool and The Fylde College.

“I was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss our further and higher education provision which is co-created with employers to ensure we develop the professional and skilled workforce they need to drive their business forward and provides our students with high-value employment opportunities.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Fielding .