Capital gain for Oldham College

TALENTED Oldham College students were called to the capital ahead of the opening of their new digital career college later this year.

Principal Alun Francis was invited to the House of Commons for a meeting hosted by Lord Baker in association with the Career Colleges Trust.

Career colleges were launched by Lord Baker last year as a new innovation in employer-led education, combining academic and vocational studies within a specific industry specialism.

Mr Francis said: “This important initiative is a new relationship between education advisers and employers so that we bring the best education expertise and they bring their knowledge of the working environment and the skills they need.

“We are very pleased at the quality of employer partners on board and feel we are the platform to provide a different kind of career choice for young people in Oldham.”

Also called down to London was Oldham College IT student Holly King, who is part of a new Young Digital TaskForce — recently set up to help shape the UK’s digital future.

Progress

Holly enjoyed the privilege of introducing and sharing stage space with celebrities including Stephen Fry and James May.

Mr Francis added: “We want to ensure students learn what they need to progress whether that’s on to work, an apprenticeship, or university.

“Our curriculum is organised around different growth sectors of the economy and the pathways which students need to follow to work in these sectors.”