Visit by Permanent Secretary to Work Based learning

The top Civil Servant from the newly formed Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, Ian Watmore visited the LB Waltham Forest Community Learning and Skills Service (CLaSS) on Tuesday 26 February.

Mr Watmore met a group of staff to get an overview of the service and its work with young people and adults, he went on to meet some young people and their managers who have completed the apprenticeship scheme in a public sector setting and then a group of young people, together with their placement officers, who are currently on E2E (Entry to Employment) and Apprenticeship programmes. Also present throughout were Anne Perez - Head of Community Learning and Skills Service, Cllr Geraldine Reardon - Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Arts and Culture and Sarah Carrick from the Learning and Skills Council. The young people and staff present reported that this was a successful, informative and positive event.

Thanking CLaSS for his warm welcome, Permanent Secretary for the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), Ian Watmore said:

"Britain can only succeed in a rapidly changing world if we develop the skills of our people to the fullest extent and create a competitive economy. DIUS has been formed to help create an inclusive society that ensures opportunity for everyone. I was delighted to see real tutors and students in action turning this vision into reality on this trailblazing and important public sector apprenticeship scheme."