03 August 2001
Education Secretary Estelle Morris said the new centres, chosen after research by the Learning and Skills Development Agency, would help to raise standards to meet employers' needs. 'We have provided £100m of backing over the next three years to help transform colleges into local, regional or national centres of excellence,' she said.
'We are looking for businesses to work with them to provide extra resources, direct support and involvement from specific sectors.'
Subjects covered by the 16 pathfinder centres include construction at Accrington and Rossendale College, nautical science and marine engineering at South Tyneside College, and print media at Leeds College of Technology.
Jon Harwood, chief executive of the Learning and Skills Council, said: 'We need colleges that are fast-moving and that can give both adults and young people access to the enhanced vocational learning they need to succeed in a modern economy.'
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