A GOVERNMENT minister paid a special visit to Heart of Worcestershire College.
Baroness Jacqui Smith, minister for skills and minister for women and equalities, dropped by its Worcester campus for discussions with staff and students, and a meeting with principal Michelle Dowse about the college’s role in the community.
Baroness Smith began her tour at the college’s collaboration with National Star College, which provides specialist education for young adults with disabilities.
Here, she saw the work being done to equip these young adults with essential skills.
The minister then watched hospitality and catering students take part in a Ready, Steady, Cook challenge.
The visit also included a stop at the college’s Blended Learning Consortium, where staff explained their use of artificial intelligence to develop future skills.
The visit ended with a roundtable discussion between Baroness Smith and Ms Dowse.
They discussed funding challenges, pay within the further education sector, and how to improve students’ numeracy and literacy skills.
Baroness Smith, said: “Post-16 education and skills training are crucial to our mission to grow the economy under the Plan for Change.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Heart of Worcestershire College today, and I am grateful to college staff and students for giving up their time to talk to me.
“As someone who proudly calls this county home, the college’s commitment to driving opportunity in their local community was fantastic to see, helping the young people they teach to achieve and thrive.”
Ms Dowse added: “We are thrilled that Baroness Smith took time out of her incredibly busy schedule to visit us today.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the exceptional work we are doing here at HoW College and to highlight our role as a key anchor institution in Worcestershire.
“As a college, we are committed to providing high-quality education and training that directly supports both our local communities and the regional economy.”
