17th June 2005 - Blunkett opens new northenden campus
The new Northenden Campus at the City College in Manchester was opened today by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, David Blunkett, on a visit to Greater Manchester.
Mr Blunkett was given a tour of the new facility and an outline of some of the courses, diplomas and National Vocational Qualifications it provides that are targeted primarily on getting people ready to enter the workplace.
Mr Blunkett said:
“This new facility provides people in the Manchester area with the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to get into the workplace with qualifications that are designed alongside business to ensure they meet the needs of employers.
“It is also important that the campus plays a central role in the community with many of its facilities, such as the nursery, used not just by students in an educational context but also by members of the local community. This helps to ensure both that people are getting the skills required to get into the workplace and that people who are already working can continue to develop their skills.”
The campus also hosted a discussion involving 15 students and Mr Blunkett on how to tackle the pensions challenge. Mr Blunkett listened as students debated the issues around how best to reach a consensus on the way forward and to plan for their future.
Mr Blunkett added:
“I enjoyed discussing with the students the issues around the pensions debate. If we are to reach a long-term solution on the pensions challenge then everyone needs to be involved in it and, most crucially, capture the interest of young people for whom the issue of income in retirement is literally a lifetime away.”
Notes for Editors
- David Blunkett was visiting the Northenden Campus which is part of the City College, Manchester.
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