This week, we welcomed MP Gareth Davies to Stamford College's Air and Defence College, part of Inspire Education group. We were pleased to showcase our incredible provision that provides employer-led, career-focused education and technical training for 16 to 19-year-olds.
Our RAF and defence partners work closely with Stamford College to provide a unique and innovative model, which is designed to meet employers’ skills needs and allow opportunities to secure career paths in the Royal Air Force and associated aerospace industries.
During the visit, Gareth had the opportunity to speak to the students about their experience at the Air and Defence College. They showcased their work and were able to talk confidently about how the College has been preparing them for their next steps into the air and defence sector. Impressed with the facilities and the quality of the education, Gareth said, “It was fantastic to meet with the Air and Defence College students in their superb facilities at the Borderville Centre. The courses provided are employer-led and focussed on supporting students to explore career paths in the Royal Air Force and I was pleased to hear of the close working partnership with RAF Wittering.”
We also had Bradley Parker with us, one of our former Air and Defence College students, who is now employed as a Cyberspace Communications Specialist in the Royal Air Force. Bradley shared with Gareth how the college had provided him with extensive background knowledge, important points of contact and the qualifications he needed to achieve his career goals. Representatives from the Royal Air Force were in attendance to talk to Gareth about the fantastic partnership we have forged with them, which has enabled us to deliver this wonderful enriching experience to all of our students who are studying as part of the Air and Defence College.
Whilst Gareth was visiting, Sarah Young, Vice Principal, and Emma Hemmings, Assistant Principal for Curriculum, also had the opportunity to have a wider discussion with him about the upcoming reforms to technical education and the impact this is going to have on Further Education Colleges and the young people wishing to access them in the future.
