The visit coincided with two national campaigns based around T-Levels and Apprenticeships.
The Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships, and Higher Education Robert Halfon praised Suffolk New College this week during a tour of two of their campuses.
His visit coincided with two national campaigns aimed at promoting T-Level and Apprenticeship qualifications.
(This week is National Apprenticeship Week and T-Level Day took place on Thursday 8 February 2024).
Mr Halfon looked around the Suffolk New College Ipswich and Suffolk Rural sites and met up with staff and students.
He also got to see some of the college’s new facilities including a farm shop, a Net Zero Skills Centre and a Tech Campus.
Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships, and Higher Education Robert Halfon said: “T-Levels and apprenticeships are the gold standard in technical education and training and have supported thousands of people from all backgrounds to climb the ladder of opportunity into great careers.
“I was blown away by the energy and enthusiasm of the students and staff at Suffolk New College. The college is one of our first T-Level trailblazer colleges, so it was great to see and hear about the impact these new qualifications are having, and also to meet older learners who are benefiting from schemes like Skills Bootcamps which enable people to get skills and change career, no matter where they are in life.
“From engineering and childcare to the vital rural trades that put food on our tables and safeguard the environment, Suffolk New College students are developing the skills to succeed.”
During the visit, Minister Halfon chatted to learners on T-Level programmes including Emily Hammond, 16, from Ipswich. The childcare student said: “I really want a career as a primary school teacher so I thought a T-Level is a very good way of helping me realise my ambition. It has been challenging, rewarding and I have no regrets. This is definitely the favourite thing I’ve done during my education.
“T-Levels are great – you get to experience a professional setting whilst you learn and I’d 100% recommend doing one.”
Alan Pease is the Principal and CEO of Suffolk New College. Alan said: “We were delighted to be able to show Minister Halfon around our campuses at Suffolk New College in Ipswich and Suffolk Rural at Otley, to help demonstrate some of the great work our students and staff have achieved in relation to T-Level qualifications.
“We were also able to reflect on other areas of our provision including apprenticeships and Skills Bootcamps. The Minister got to tour our facilities and meet learners on agriculture, arboriculture, childcare, engineering and digital courses, seeing first-hand the progress that these students are making under our guidance.”