Phil Frier confirmed as new chair of City Employment & Skills Steering Group

The City Employment & Skills Steering Group has confirmed Phil Frier, Principal of City College Brighton and Hove, at its new Chair.

The group, established by Brighton & Hove City Council, includes key personnel from the Council’s main strategic partners in the public, private and community and voluntary sectors including representatives from both Brighton and Sussex Universities, Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Jobcentre Plus, ICP Recruitment Group and Brighton & Hove Economic Partnership.

The City Employment & Skills Plan, originally launched by the City Council in 2007, is designed to reflect the new post-recession economic realities that Brighton & Hove face. It sets out the challenges associated with a growing and highly qualified resident workforce, the need to support those with low skills into the labour market and the opportunities for developing key sectors as a means of delivering more local jobs.

The news of Mr. Frier’s appointment as chairperson comes at a time when City College’s engagement with local businesses has been praised by Ofsted inspectors in a glowing report that gives the College the enviable grade of ‘Good with outstanding qualities’ and places it amongst the top performing Colleges in the country.

The report states that: “The College’s development and use of partnerships are outstanding. Its use of links with employers provides tangible benefits to its learners, including opportunities for progression to jobs and the development of enterprise and employability skills.”

 “Phil’s knowledge, experience and expertise as an education professional and his ability to forge effective links with the private, public and third sector will be invaluable as we seek to gain wider commitment to the City Employment and Skills Plan over the next three years”, said Cabinet Councillor for Employment, Amy Kennedy.

“It’s both challenging and exciting to be chairing a steering group that’s taking the lead in ensuring that through partnerships working across all sectors, we’re able to create the right conditions for business growth and the type and quantity of employment needed to secure economic prosperity for our city”, added Mr. Frier.

City College is still recruiting for a range of courses starting in September 2011. For more details see www.ccb.ac.uk or contact course information on 01273 667759.

For City College media enquiries, please call Brian Bell, Marketing Communications Officer, on 01273 667788 Ext. 488 or email bb1@ccb.ac.uk