Training programme skills boost for college

A North East college is to get a world-class skills boost after being selected to join an elite training programme.

NewCollegeDurhamisone of 12 colleges and independent training providers to have been selected to become part of WorldSkills UK’s Centre of Excellence.

The Centre of Excellence – partnered and funded by educational charity and awarding body NCFE – aims to train more than 40,000 young students and apprentices, from all socio-economic groups across the UK.

As part of the programme, staff at New College Durham will receive training sessions and 60 hours of intensive continual development.

Alison Maynard, deputy principal, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to be a part of WorldSkills UK’s Centre for Excellence. At New College Durham we are constantly working to ensure our provision is of the highest standard. We are looking forward to taking part in the training which is specifically designed to transform the quality of teaching, training and assessment.”

Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann, CEO of WorldSkills UK, said: “In order to deliver the world-class skills that employers demand to be internationally competitive, we need to invest in the educators that are training young people for the future.

“Excellence in training standards and delivering it directly to tens of thousands of young students and apprentices at their places of learning is key to levelling up the economy and attracting inward investment.”

The programme covers ‘train the trainer’ modules, international industry best practice and influencing setters of training standards.