THE head of a further education college in Barrow has welcomed new government reforms promised for further education.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday pledged 'radical' changes would be made to the adult education system in the UK.

He said the coronavirus pandemic had 'massively accelerated' changes to the world of work, and made gaps in employees' training 'painfully apparent'.

A new 'lifetime skills guarantee' would offer a fully-funded college course to all people over 18 without an A-level or equivalent qualification.

Furness College Principal and Chief Executive Professor, Andrew Wren, said: “Colleges have been overlooked by successive Governments for a number of years.

"The announcements by the Prime Minister today recognise the crucial role colleges, such as Furness College, have to play in developing the skills of the current and future workforce to deliver a strong and robust economy, particularly in periods of recovery such as now.

"I wholeheartedly welcome the Government’s investment in colleges, enabling us to make a real difference to the lives of thousands of young people and adults.”