Shadow Home Secretary Praises Solihull College During VIP Visit
February 16, 2009 4:14 PM
Lorely with Chris Huhne and Principal, Brenda Sheils
Shadow Home Secretary for the Liberal Democrat Party, Chris Huhne MP, visited Solihull College on Thursday (February 12) and learned how specialist education training there is boosting the region's ailing economy.
Joined by constituency MP Lorely Burt, Mr Huhne enjoyed a tour of the College's new sports Mezzanine - incorporating a unique Sports Massage and Therapy Clinic - and spoke to Higher Education students and apprentices about the advantages of their academic learning.
This was followed by a special Question Time event where 50 students, representing Business and Computing, Health and Social Care, Hairdressing, Sports, Art and Design and A Levels quizzed Mr Huhne and Mrs Burt on vocational qualifications, employment training and the effects of the credit crunch.
Mr Huhne said: "We need more colleges like Solihull College as the courses it offers students will enable them to help see us through the recession we are currently in and beyond.
"There is often a distinction made between academia and vocational courses that is not necessarily true. Take medicine for example, you can't get a more hands-on course than that and the origins of medicine were, in fact, in hairdressing and barbering.
"We believe that what Solihull College is doing, furthering students' knowledge and education as well as providing invaluable hands-on work experience is brilliant and essential for a better future.
"In order to ensure Britain maintains a decent standard of living, we must have a workforce that has both the skills and knowledge needed to bring us through the difficult and uncertain economic conditions we currently face."
Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt, added: "The great thing about vocational qualifications is people gain the practical skills which are essential to earning a living, during their studies. What Solihull College is doing is fantastic."
Solihull College Principal, Brenda Sheils, said she was delighted the MPs were able to see at first hand the positive impact education provision at the College is having on the local community.
"Through the range of Apprenticeships and training programmes offered by Solihull College, supporting industry across many different sectors, we are preserving the economic development of our community for the future," she said.
"It was a wonderful experience for our students to discuss their concerns with both the Shadow Home Secretary for the Liberal Democrats and our own MP.
"We have a responsibility to ensure all our students are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful and they must be able to vocalise the issues that are affecting their lives.
"The chance to gain an insight into the world of politics in this way was excellent."
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