Minister gives warning on training

The Skills Minister, Lord Young, has warned employers to keep training employees despite the present economic circumstances.

Launching National Colleges Week at Barnfield College in Luton, Lord Young said businesses were two-and-a-half times more likely to fail in the present climate if they stopped training employees. “Employers must not abandon training,” he said.

Describing Barnfield College as “a very interesting and achieving college”, he said colleges must take a more proactive role in providing skills training.

He said the Government had a three-point plan to help small businesses.

• A £100 million package to encourage skills training.
• A £350 million package to help small businesses.
• The creation of a 400-strong national field force to help companies take on more apprentices.

Pete Birkett, Chief Executive of Barnfield College, said: “The national launch of Colleges Week at Barnfield is a real feather in Luton’s cap. The Government clearly recognises our importance as a leading skills training organisation.”

The College organised a week of skills challenges, staff recognition and other events to mark Colleges Week which celebrated the FE sector’s achievements.

Lord Young addresses a large employer forum held at the college. Pete Birkett is pictured left.

For more information, contact Geoff Howe at Barnfield College on 01582 569839 or email geoff.howe@barnfield.ac.uk