Staff and students from the College of West Anglia (CWA) celebrated Colleges Week 2024 which was held 26th February to 1st March. 

David Pomfret, Principal of CWA pictured at 10 Downing Street with other college leaders to celebrate Skills Education during Colleges Week 2024. 

This celebration is run by the Association of Colleges (AoC) and is a chance to celebrate and shout about all the brilliant things that colleges do both internally and in the wider community, and an opportunity to call on government for better investment in colleges.

Principal of College of West Anglia, David Pomfret, has a number of key asks for the future government as part of the AoC colleges week campaign. Firstly, a new statutory right to lifelong learning, giving the opportunity for people to gain new skills and revolutionise lifelong learning. In addition, asking the government for an apprenticeship system that works as there has been a rapid decline in the number of young people undertaking apprenticeships since reforms were implemented. David is also asking for a curriculum for all, including putting a pause on defunding of existing Level 3 and below Vocational, Technical Qualifications, until we can see how T Levels are working in terms of accessibility and progression for students, meeting industry needs and promoting social mobility. Another area which requires attention from government, is for a workforce strategy. There is a crisis in college workforce recruitment and retention, driven principally by poor pay, which undermines college’s ability to meet employer skills needs. Poor staff pay must be addressed through proper government investment. Finally, a better investment in our future. A growing economy needs ongoing investment in skills. Without additional investment in further education and skills, from government and from employers, colleges will not be able to fill skills shortages in key priority areas of the economy.

David Pomfret, Principal of CWA said:

“I am passionate about the positive impact of colleges on social and economic prosperity, and that is why I have chosen to dedicate well over 30 years of my career to the sector. The last 17 years have been as principal of the College of West Anglia and I am proud that the college is at the heart of our communities, serving students from campuses in Cambridge, Downham Market, Wisbech and King’s Lynn”.