Community pledges support as Calderdale College launches ambitious strategy
On Thursday 6 July, Calderdale College brought together almost 50 businesses and organisations from across the district to launch a new three-year strategy, setting out its plan to drive positive change for local people, the district and the economy.
The College’s new Strategic Plan outlines its commitment to providing a high-quality and innovative learning experience, while also focusing on core strategies and activities to meet local skills priorities in Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing, Construction, Health, Life Science & Education, Creative Industries, Business & Professional Services and Digital.
A-Safe, Halifax Renewable Energy, the Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, Dean Clough, Northern, Halifax Minster, Healthy Minds, Halifax Panthers, FC Halifax Town, Denford Ltd and Calderdale Council were among the organisations that pledged to help the College on its mission to invest in skills.
Over the next three years, the College will deliver a range of actions such as cultivating industry partnerships, embracing new technologies and creating a regional Industry 4.0 Hub in Brighouse opening in September 2023.
David Malone, Principal and Chief Executive of Calderdale College, said: “This plan goes beyond producing a strategy document. This is a step change in the way we operate and a new phase of the College that is outward facing, truly serving our district – the people, businesses and community.
“We want to be accountable to our plan. If we are not meeting businesses’ skills priorities, we need to be challenged and to work collaboratively to respond to industry needs.
“We have the opportunity to grow the future workforce and we need to ensure what we deliver remains current. The funding in Further Education is limited, so the support of businesses is key. It could be helping design our curriculum, upskilling our staff or creating apprenticeship vacancies for our students.
“We have built amazing partnerships already which was evidenced at the event, but we must now maximise these opportunities for the betterment of every student.”
Holly Lynch, MP for Halifax, delivered a speech at the event urging businesses to support the strategy: “I cannot say enough how instrumental Calderdale College is for the future of our town and wider region, and I know how much the businesses here want to help the College on its mission. We are all in this together.
“I have never been more excited and confident in the future of the College. We are all absolutely with you, and want to help you to achieve yours, and Calderdale’s, targets. If it goes right, we will be getting it right for our town, and our country.”
For more information about Calderdale College, visit www.calderdale.ac.uk
