Richard Quigley MP has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s announcement of major reforms to create stronger links between education, technical training and local employment opportunities, saying the Isle of Wight is already demonstrating how this approach can work in practice.
The Prime Minister’s plans will see employers play a greater role in shaping technical education pathways, with schools, colleges and businesses working together to help young people develop the skills needed for local jobs.
Over the past two years, Richard Quigley has been building exactly these kinds of partnerships on the Isle of Wight through his Skills Summit, employer engagement programme, apprenticeship initiatives and support for T-Level placements.
Bringing together employers including GKN Aerospace, Vestas, BAE Systems, WightFibre and others, his work has focused on creating clear pathways from education into high-quality local employment.
Richard Quigley MP said:
“I warmly welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to putting technical education and employment opportunities at the heart of our education system.”
“The Isle of Wight is ahead of the curve. While these reforms are now being rolled out nationally, we have already been bringing employers, training providers, schools, charities and community organisations together to build stronger pathways into good jobs.”
“I’ve been clear from day one that university is not the right route for everyone. Young people deserve high-quality alternatives, whether that’s an apprenticeship, a T-Level, a degree apprenticeship or vocational training linked directly to local opportunities.”
Article continues below this advertisement “The Isle of Wight should be a leader, not a follower. By working together with Island employers, we’re showing how local partnerships can help young people gain the skills, experience and confidence they need to build successful careers right here at home.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
“Fixing the youth unemployment crisis in Britain will require a major shake-up in how we do things – and that’s what this government will do. I want to ensure that our education system leaves no dead ends for our young people. The changes we’re announcing today will just be the start of our work to restore opportunity and hope across the country.”
Following the surge in migrant crossing incidents in November and December, on 28 December 2018 the UK Home secretary declared a major incident regarding refugees attempting to cross the channel.
227 refugees and migrants were intercepted and returned to the continent by French authorities in 2018.
In 2019 1,900 had made the crossing.
In 2020 8,438 had made it here.
A total of 23,000 for 2021 made the crossing.
The BBC confirmed that 45,755 people crossed the Channel in small boats for the year 2022.
In 2023, another 29,283 arrived here.
In 2024 that total was 36,535.
A total of 41,763 arrived in 2025.
Making the approximate total of 186,674 illegal immigrants arriving in the last six years.
Or more than the number of people who live in Southend or the Isle of Wight and just less than the number of Peterborough residents.
What “curve” are our young people ahead of Squiggley and why will the Parachute Prime Minister not address this “major incident”, which will certainly impact young people and jobs?
Ahead of the curve. Lol, maybe a trip to Specsavers
will put Richard in touch with the island.
Obviously not seen the overdue food hygiene failings.
Disgraceful care homes.
Speeding vehicles day in day out.
Vehicles parking inside a pedestrianised zone on
pavements EVADING PARKING CHARGES outside the old
tourist information centre opposite Sandown Pier.
SIR KHAN WOULD HAVE THESE VEHICLES TOWED AWAY
WITH IMMEDIATE AFFECT!
Vehicles parking daily on Double Yellow Lines
islandwide.
Majority of politicians are out of touch with real life
circumstances.
When in London obviously he can see what a great job
Lord Sir Sadiq Khan has done to make London a safer
cleaner place.
Take a drive along the Military Road one afternoon and see
for yourself how UNSAFE island roads are, especially at
weekend when cyclists are cycling along on the middle of the
road or cycling side by side and motorists and motorbikes
overtake other vehicles at 80mph+
I don’t know what the island is ahead of the curve at
maybe I need to start drinking local tap water
because from where I am sitting the island is
behind the curve and always will be until it is
run by the mainland.