College unveils meeting lounge

Oldham College launches business lounge for Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce members. PIC shows (front) L-R: Clive Memmott (Chief Exec of GM Chamber of Commerce) and Alun Francis (Oldham College principal)..

OLDHAM College has opened a business lounge at its campus in partnership with Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

Both organisations have hailed the new venue as an important step forward in their services offered to businesses and students.

The lounge is said to be the first of its kind in a college and is modelled on the chambers lounge for members in Manchester city centre.

Guests were invited to an opening ceremony where Oldham College principal Alun Francis and chamber chief executive Clive Memmott spoke about the importance of vocational and technical education in today's diverse and complicated economy.

Mr Francis said: "I can't tell you how important the creation of this space is for us, regarding our plans. We think this is the first time that a chamber of commerce and a local college have worked together in this way, it's a space for employers who are welcome to use it at any time they wish. If they need somewhere for an hour between meetings or want to meet someone here, this is their space. We want this to be a place where students and employers can come. It's a comfortable and relaxing place, and part of our exciting plans."

Mr Francis went on to highlight how further education needs to change and be modernised, to reflect the fast-changing and complicated modern economy.

In recent decades, he said too many British students had been encouraged to follow academic routes for university places and jobs in the 'knowledge economy', while many employers actually needed more technically and vocationally-skilled recruits.

Post-16 education is extremely muddled and confused. The focus on academic routes has meant that many other colleges have come to be seen as offering second-choice provision.

However Oldham College had restructured itself to focus again on the skills needed for sectors of the economy that are forecast to grow.

Clive Memmott, the chamber's chief executive, welcomed the new business lounge and said: "I hope businesses enjoy this wonderful new space. Colleges succeed if they have great innovative and visionary leaders, and Alan Francis is a great example.

"How can the curriculum be shaped if we don't work together? We have all got to give something if we are going to create something better.

"Further education has become increasingly confused and is an easy scapegoat. Colleges have to put right what comes out of schools, with basic skills. We have to profoundly think about how we take things forward."

The business lounge is modelled on Greater Manchester Chambers' Deansgate headquarters in Manchester.

It can be booked by calling Oldham College's reception. Staff will then establish the visitors' requirements. Car parking is also available.