I am delighted with the positive feedback I have recently received from East Surrey College about initiatives and programmes that they have been able to introduce as a result of the current Government’s policies for further education, jobs creation, apprenticeships, and the green economy, particularly in the construction and engineering sector.

The Local Construction and Engineering Sectors have asked East Surrey College for their support in a number of programmes designed to promote recruitment and training for these sectors. These include: -

- A request for the Civil engineering sector to help set up a “New Graduate Development Programme” for its ‘Civils Degree’ intake.

- “Wilmott Dixon Building Lives Programme”, to support the local community into employment in the construction sector

- “Highways Basic Training Programme” to provide candidates for Apprenticeships in the sector

- “Retrofit Programme(s)” for Housing Associations and Builders of all sizes, this programme offers training and qualifications to meet the Government’s targets to retrofit the UKs Property

- Developing the college’s programme(s) to include Modular Build Companies, providing the skills and knowledge to help awareness/ recruitment to this growing market

- Providing new “Green” qualifications which are needed in the new economy, these include: - “Energy Manager Apprenticeship” and “Carbon Capture”. These qualifications are in demand and will provide new employment opportunities.

Furthermore, East Surrey College plans to host environmental events for the Construction and Civil Engineering Sectors, promoting its Green Training and Qualification Programmes.

Encouragingly, the college’s apprenticeship applications for construction and engineering are up approximately by 70% on this time last year.

This is exceptionally positive news demonstrating the college’s close links to industry and its adaptability in responding to the needs of the sector at a time when education and retraining are so vital in view of the changes taking place in the employment sector locally and the rise in local unemployment resulting partly from the shrinkage of Gatwick Airport related jobs.

Congratulations to the college on these great and timely partnerships and initiatives.

Crispin Blunt MP