Baroness “blown away” by Institute facilities

One of the leading names in education declared Grimsby Institute learners “very lucky” during a whistle-stop tour this week.

Baroness Alison Wolf, who published an independent review of vocational education known as the Wolf Report in 2011, was interviewed by Estuary TV before visiting the School of Art.

The economist, who holds a number of esteemed positions at King’s College London, also toured Modal Training, where she was “blown away” by the state-of-the-art simulation equipment.

“I think this is the most extraordinary example of what further education colleges should be doing,” Baroness Wolf continued.

“Generally, I think Grimsby Institute learners are very lucky; they have a fantastic facility.”

She added: “It seems to me this is absolutely what further education must be about. It’s about the closeness to the labour market, the closeness to employers.

“That’s always been important and I think that in too many cases as a country we’ve taken our eyes off it, and I’m really glad you haven’t in Grimsby.”

TEC Partnership Chief Executive Gill Alton, who accompanied Baroness Wolf on the tour, said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to host today’s visit.

“Baroness Wolf is one of the sector’s leading experts in education and it’s fantastic she’s chosen to come to Grimsby to understand and explore the latest educational initiatives.”