Local MP promotes skills agenda
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James Morris, MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis, last week attended a NIACE reception, as part of Adult Learners Week to offer his support and to meet key industry figures. NIACE (The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) are major supporters of adult learners across colleges, community settings, universities and workplaces.
James is committed to improving the skills of hard working people in and around Halesowen and Rowley Regis. Adult learners have a key role in this and it is vital that they are given the support they need to gain new skills and retrain in developing industries where there is greater demand. For example, in the green sector, thousands of new jobsare expected to arise in the Black Country in the near future.
In recent times, James has been an active voice for a greater emphasis on learning, in order to close the growing ‘skills gap’ and to ensure that we move to a more mixed economy. The skills gap refers to the difference between the requirements of employers and the skill set of the nearby workforce. James spoke last week at The Public in West Bromwich about the need to rebalance the economy, away from an over-reliance on finance, to a greater focus on manufacturing, tourism and the creative industries.
NIACE Principal Policy Officer Alastair Thompson thanked James for attending and said: “Lifelong learning helps people transform their lives for the better – along with those of their families and the communities of which they are part. The better that MPs understand the richness and diversity of adult education and training for their constituents, the more public policy can be improved.”
James Morris commented: “Adult learners are important to the continuing economic success of Halesowen and Rowley Regis. Many of them will also have young families so it is important we offer support wherever possible”.
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