His visit preceded the official launch of a new skills strategy by the LEP, which works with business, education, the public sector, and voluntary and social enterprises to drive economic growth in the region.
Mr Nix, who was shown around the college by CRC Principal Anne Constantine, met staff and chatted to students about their courses.
“Colleges like CRC play a very important part in the economic development of the region. LEPs are focusing increasingly on skills, and we are working with colleges to provide the skills that our business community needs to succeed,” he said.
“This was my first visit to the college and I thought the campus was highly impressive and a very good environment in which to learn. I was particularly pleased to hear of plans to expand the engineering department and offer a wider range of courses to students, as well as gaining an insight into the work of the catering, gaming and media and graphics departments.”
Mr Nix met apprentice chef Simon Slack, who works at Homerton College, and full-time catering student Richard Fawcett before going on to meet media students, sit in on a games development lesson and talk to trainee engineers.
Afterwards, he said the visit had been extremely interesting.
“The LEP has just approved a new skills strategy that we will be officially launching next week and we will be working with the business community to see what they need in terms of skills. Today’s visit was very interesting and useful,” he said.
Pictured CRC principal Anne Constantine, student Richard Fawcett, apprentice chef Simon Slack and LEP chair Grahame Nix.
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