Network Rail Chairman Rick Haythornthwaite visited City of Westminster College yesterday, touring the new Paddington Green Campus, meeting students and finding out more about the College.
The visit was organised as part of the first national ‘Visit our Schools and Colleges campaign’. The campaign - an initiative from the charity Education and Employers Taskforce - is spearheading a drive to link schools and colleges to industry and explore practical areas such as mentoring and work experience.
During his two-hour tour, Rick Haythornthwaite met College Principal Keith Cowell, Deputy Principal David Pigden and Vice Principal Curriculum Andy Cole to discuss potential for future co-operation. He found out more about current College courses with Director of the Business Development Unit Lynne Graham and Director of Faculty of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Carol Lewis.
Rick Haythornthwaite visited the new Paddington Green Campus and described it as an extraordinary building that students will love. The Network Rail boss also met National Diploma in Electric/Electronic Engineering Year 1 and 2 students and their tutors to find out more about their courses and their future career ambitions.
The first Visit our Schools and Colleges campaign has involved over 700 schools and colleges and 650 employers of all sizes and sectors, including Barclays, BBC, BT, Centrica, ITV, Marks & Spencer and United Utilities.
Rick Haythornthwaite, Chairman of Network Rail says: “To enable us to improve the skills of our whole nation’s workforce, it is crucial that business and educators work together to engage young people with the amazing opportunities and challenges that are open to them, and help them take the right path to succeed in their chosen field.”
City of Westminster College Principal, Keith Cowell, says: “Engaging directly with employers enables FE colleges to gain valuable insights into the skills needed by both the current and future workforce. I wholeheartedly support this campaign and the opportunities it presents to ensure training matches employers’ needs, assists our students to succeed and contributes to the economic success of this country.”