The Association of Colleges publication launched at the House of Commons recently provided an opportunity for Sparsholt College Fishery staff to meet John Hayes, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning alonsdie their local MP, Steve Brine.
The new publication focused on featuring the diversity of vocational courses offered throughout England and featured Fishery Management courses available at Sparsholt College, which hosts the greatest range of courses and state-of-the-art facilities for the specialism within the Country.
The Minister commented on the ability of the colleges to provide education and training in environments that closely resemble the workplaces in which future employment is found and following a visit to Sparsholt last year complimented the college on the impressive industry scale resources and facilities in the form of the National Aquatics Training Centre, Sports fishery lake complex and cold-water trout and salmon hatchery and rearing unit which is currently being rebuilt following an investment of £500,000 with a 50% grant from the European Fisheries Fund in conjunction with the Marine Management Organisation.
Following the visit, Principal Tim Jackson of Sparsholt College said:" I am delighted that the expertise and reputation of Sparsholt for its Specialist Programmes of which Fishery Management is one of these, have been recognised so publicly. Whilst our facilities for Fishery Science and Fishery Management are absolutely state-of-the-art and second to none within the British Isles, it's our staff who are our really fantastic resource. I'm so delighted that some of our colleagues were able to get the recognition directly from the Minister directly responsible for Learning and Skills".
Local MP Steve Brine added: "Sparsholt is such a well-regarded college, and I was delighted to be with them as they met up with the Minister. The breadth of courses offered at Sparsholt is fascinating, and it was great that the report was launched in the House of Commons."
Pictured; from left to right- Peter Black, Course Tutor, Fishery Studies; Caroline James, Learning Manager Fishery Studies; James Watson, Course Tutor Fishery James, John Hayes, Minster of State for Further Education; Steve Brine, MP and Tim Jackson, Principal Sparsholt College Hampshire
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Find out more about Sparsholt at www.sparsholt.ac.uk