Luton Major Skills Centre

Luton's fast-growing position as a major skills centre was recognised with a visit by a key government minister.

Launching National Colleges Week at Barnfield College, Lord Young, the Skills Minister, said businesses were two-and-a-half times more likely to fail in the present climate if they stopped training employees. "Employers must not abandon training," he said.

Describing Barnfield College as "a very interesting and achieving college", he said colleges must take a more proactive role in providing skills training.

He said the Government had a three-point plan to help small businesses.

1) A £100 million package to encourage skills training.
2) A £350 million package to help small businesses.

3) The creation of a 400-strong national field force to help companies take on more apprentices.

Pete Birkett, Chief Executive of Barnfield College, said: "The national launch of Colleges Week at Barnfield is a real feather in Luton's cap. The Government clearly recognises our importance as a leading skills training organisation."

The College organised a week of skills challenges, staff recognition and other events to mark Colleges Week which celebrated the FE sector's achievements.