Posted: 10/10/12
The Duke of York to visit college construction academy
The Duke of York, KG, will visit West Nottinghamshire College’s Construction and Logistics Skills Academy on Tuesday 16 October.
The Duke of York is visiting the construction academy as part of his on-going effort to recognise and promote excellence in technical education and apprenticeships across the United Kingdom.
His Royal Highness will start his visit by taking part in a round-table discussion with employers and business leaders on the subject of re-engaging and creating jobs for young people. As part of this discussion Sir John Peace, Lord Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire, will provide an update on the progress of Working for Youth, the employer led effort to tackle youth unemployment.
The Duke of York will then be given a tour of the construction academy’s state-of-the-art facilities by college principal and chief executive Asha Khemka OBE, meeting staff, students, apprentices and employer links.
Mrs Khemka is the founder of the Inspire and Achieve Foundation – a charity that helps hard-to-reach young people to re-engage in education and training.
She said: “It will be an honour to show His Royal Highness how we’re developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople through high-quality vocational training and forging strong links with employers.
“I’m particularly pleased we’ll be hosting a discussion about the importance of engaging young people and giving them the skills and confidence to succeed. We have some of the region’s key employers joining us and I look forward to sharing some of the work we have been doing with them to ensure young people are work ready and able to achieve their full potential.”
The £7.2m construction academy in Kirkby-in-Ashfield provides training to over 1,300 students on a wide range of vocational courses including bricklaying, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, plastering, painting and decorating, gas-fitting and rail engineering.
Boasting extensive workshop space and the latest industry-approved machinery and equipment, it has forged a reputation as one of the sector’s leading construction training centres.
