Education key to future prosperity

EDUCATION for Oldham’s youth is key to the future prosperity of the town.

The stark message was hammered home at yesterday’s “One Oldham — Education Through Regeneration” conference for business and education leaders from the borough and beyond.

They heard of plans for:

A £230 million transformation of secondary education in the borough.

A multi-million pound science centre linked to Oldham Sixth Form College -— the first of its kind in the country and providing study opportunities for students from primary school to university level.

Oldham Council’s chief executive Andrew Kilburn, said it was about Oldham casting off its image of low wages, low skills and low aspirations, and providing some of the best education in the country to help its young people find employment and prosperity.

Nick Brown, principal of Oldham Sixth Form College and chairman of The Oldham Partnership, added: “We have a huge amount of talent in this borough that we have never before exploited.

“We are determined to give young people the means to acquire the skills they are entitled to, which will give them the ability to seize the opportunities of the future.”

The half day conference attracted some of the most forward-thinking minds in local education, along with businessmen and women who want to give young people the best possible opportunities.

Janet Donaldson, executive director for children, young people and families, urged the business community to open its doors to give young people vital experience to foster interest and enthusiasm for the world of work.

And she said it was an ideal opportunity for them to let education bosses know the exact skills they need from their workforce to make their businesses a success.

Oldham-born Paul Walsh, chief executive of international drinks company Diageo said he was proud of the vision, and said it promised a set of educational and training facilities which were capable of transforming the prospects of both individuals and the borough as a whole.

He said he was “living proof,” that education was a springboard to better life chances, and had helped him reach the top in his chosen career.

The new £28 million Failsworth School was held up as a shining example, and students spoke of their enthusiasm and keenness to learn in a “fantastic” environment with access to hi-tech equipment and tools.

Head teacher David Johnson described it as “light years ahead,” and said the future of Oldham was in its schools.

He said: “Every child in Oldham deserves to feel they are special.

“Oldham has got fantastic talent and we have to release that talent and drive it forward — we cannot afford to waste it.”

The conference was the first in a series of similar events planned over the next 18 months.