Letter raises questions about CoFE management

From my knowledge of Terry, I don’t think he’d wish to take any credit for something that was, and is, obvious to most. The remainder of the response is suitably and comprehensively ‘smooth’, referring positively to extending apprenticeships to other areas – though strangely no mention of the coming and greatly increased personnel and training needs of the motor trade should an MOT-type test come into force.

I worked with Denis in the ’80s and ’90s and consider him as a person of integrity and professionalism, not prone to writing letters to the Press. That he has done so leads me to believe something is amiss with the leadership of the College of FE. My association with that institution dates to September 1970, when I was one of eight lecturers under the inspirational facilitation of Mike Hutchings working in a few dilapidated rooms and improvised workshops in La Couperderie – that was the College of FE.

I was always in awe of the achievements of unknown predecessors who were devoted to the concept that education does not end on leaving school – from those who fought for equal access for women in the 1920s to those who preserved the service during the Occupation in rooms at the Guille-Alles Library. Sadly, the area I came to specialise in, Adult Education, was almost wiped out by the action of the College senior management, in summer 2017, to increase fees to an unaffordable level when they were already producing an operational surplus of income over expenditure of tens of thousands of pounds (the data is recorded). When I retired in 2005, there were about 2,500 adult enrolments in Adult Education classes; now maybe 250 (way, way below that of our southerly neighbour). Not only were learning opportunities destroyed for potentially thousands of adults, but an operational profit was turned into a loss (as was reported in the Press earlier this Autumn).

Hence, though my knowledge of the construction industry is limited, I do wonder, however delightful they may be as people, if the current college senior management has the knowledge, ability and vision to be the custodians of our community’s post-school education.

DAVID EHMANN,

Vectis,

Clos du Fillage,

St Saviour’s.