North East Colleges join forces to call for sustainable investment #LoveOurColleges

Colleges across the North East are joining forces to demonstrate the importance of their role in transforming lives and driving economic growth and to call on the government for better investment and fair pay.

As part of the second phase of the national #LoveOurColleges campaign, from Monday 13th to Friday 17th May, governors from colleges across the North East are hosting events and speaking to their local MPs, staff, students and local business partners to demonstrate why the Chancellor should ensure meaningful and sustainable investment of colleges in his Comprehensive Spending Review.

Over the last decade, colleges have suffered an average of a 30% cut in funding, during which time costs have increased dramatically. This has had a detrimental impact on students, businesses, communities and the wider economy.

Rob Lawson, Chair of Governors for Education Partnership North East (created through the recent merger between Sunderland College – including Hartlepool Sixth Form – and Northumberland College), said:

“Further education colleges play a vital role in society and the economy but are often overlooked within the education sector. As Chair of the Board since 2013, I have seen first-hand, the impact and transformation that education has on people’s lives and economic growth.

“During Love our Colleges week, we have joined with our sector colleagues to highlight the excellent work colleges across the North East do in improving lives and economies, and ensure further education colleges receive the recognition and support from national government that they deserve.”

The colleges include – Education Partnership North East (including Sunderland College, Hartlepool Sixth Form and Northumberland College), Bishop Auckland College, Derwentside College, East Durham College, New College Durham, Newcastle College, Tyne Coast College.

In advance of the Comprehensive Spending Review, the Association of Colleges (AoC) is relaunching the national #LoveOurColleges campaign. On Monday 13 May to Friday 17 May 2019, there will be a week of activity to demonstrate the skills colleges bring to the community and why the Chancellor should ensure meaningful and sustainable investment of colleges in his Comprehensive Spending Review.