Published at 15:53, Wednesday, 18 November 2009

I AM a great supporter of opportunities for progression in learning, especially where individuals can get new skills, qualifications and recognition for achievement in the work-related environment.

bright future: New graduates joined the nucleargraduates programme this year

Apprenticeships, alongside more vocational qualifications designed to meet the workplace of today, mean that both employers and individuals can raise their skills levels, and increase productivity and efficiency. This can be particularly helpful in tough times when that kind of strength is needed, for example, to weather the storm of the present economic climate. It also means those without previous academic achievements can get qualified, move into employment and develop their careers through a route previously unavailable.

With this in mind it has been really encouraging to see the evolution and development of the Foundation Degree.

I know from the developments in the nuclear and engineering sectors that they have really been successful and a good number of students have successfully achieved their awards, gained jobs, progressed their careers and in some cases “topped up their Foundation Degree” to achieve full degrees in related disciplines.

Here in West Cumbria there are a wealth of providers who deliver Foundation Degrees – Lakes College, Gen II, University of Cumbria and UCLan all have great prospectuses and I would encourage everyone to have a look and see what’s out there. The infrastructure and learning environment is also second to none and I would challenge anyone to find a better place to learn with such up to date equipment and environments as those in Lillyhall and Westlakes – Energus, Lakes College and the UCLan building at Westlakes are modern, well-equipped, state-of-the-art facilities in which all students will have a great learning experience.

At the beginning of the year I talked about the NDA Skills and Capability Strategy and how it would benefit the area. Now at the end of the year I am pleased to see how it has made a difference.

Energus is fully operational with many learners; the University of Cumbria Learning Gateway has opened with Higher Education courses running, Community Apprentices are now well established in many local employers, new graduates have joined the nucleargraduates programme and a number of Foundation Degrees have been developed and awarded in nuclear related subjects to just mention a few things! And of course GenII and Sellafield Apprentices are using the new Energus workshops.

Of course we still have a way to go in developing an Energy Coast Campus, the Dalton Cumbria Facility at Westlakes and growing the demand for apprenticeships, but I believe we have made a great contribution which benefits individuals and businesses.

So finally my congratulations go to all achievers this year: not only those who have had specific recognition in ceremonies such as Apprenticeship Awards, College Awards and University Graduations but all learners who have achieved their goals.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk