Skills Minister: ‘New City College is leading the way in supporting their students and the economy’

New City College welcomed UK Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Alex Burghart MP and education ministers and advisers from across the world as part of the Education World Forum 2022.

Mr Burghart spoke to students, apprentices and staff and toured facilities at the Hackney campus during his visit, praising the college for its inclusive and forward-thinking curriculum.

He said: “Employers are crying out for highly skilled technical professionals, and it was a pleasure to see – first hand – how New City College are giving people of all ages the chance to upskill and retrain in key sectors such as construction and creative design.

“From boosting learners’ experience of the latest green building practices to delivering gold-standard T Levels, New City College is leading the way in supporting their students, and the economy.”

The delegates from countries including Pakistan, South Africa, Mexico, Cuba and Brazil were keen to find out about vocational education in the UK, particularly the UK’s development of T Levels – the new Level 3 vocational equivalent to A Levels – and were able to talk to Education and Childcare students who are among the first in the country to take the T Level qualification.

The visit also included the college’s industry-standard creative design studio, and construction and technical skills workshops.

Guests found out about students’ experience of work while at college, whether working on client design briefs, running the college’s commercial restaurant and gym, or servicing cars. The Minister was particularly interested in how the college trained apprentices in the art of Mastic Asphalting, one of the most environmentally-friendly and sustainable construction trades.

The visit ended in the college’s Hoxton Street Restaurant, OKN1, where guests enjoyed treats from around the world prepared and served by professional hospitality students.

New City College Principal, Alison Arnaud commented: “It was an absolute pleasure and a privilege to welcome Minister Burghart and so many education ministers and advisers from across the world to our Hackney campus. The staff and students took great pride in sharing what we at New City College do best: giving our students and apprentices the skills and confidence they need to be good citizens and to excel in their chosen careers.’’