Foreword - Councillor Peter Box

In the Wakefield District, we are investing in our people and building a skilled and enterprising workforce. A well-educated and highly-trained population is vital to the future of the local economy.
We have solid foundations on which to build our District - schools, colleges and training provision all reach high standards and continue to improve. By working together we can raise aspirations and promote lifelong learning.
This publication highlights the many opportunities and choices in education and training that are available within the District.
Raising expectations start early. We have a clear commitment to providing good quality early education and childcare. We want to give children a good start in their early years, and support parents who wish to work or continue with their own further education.
In our schools, overall pupil performance has shown strong improvement during the last three years. Pupils' tests and examination results have been steadily improving at a higher rate than the national average.
Young people who continue their education beyond sixteen have a wide range of choices after taking their GCSEs. Extensive opportunities are offered for academic and vocational courses at the five secondary schools with sixth form provision, NEW College and Wakefield College, and also through a range of work-based training providers
We are proud to be chosen to be one of four enterprise hubs across the UK for the national ‘Make Your Mark’ campaign. This campaign challenges organisations and individuals to raise their game, and encourage enterprise in ways that put young people in the driving seat.
Education and training is a vital first step to moving people up the skills ladder, as well as for those who may wish to refresh their career skills.
A key to the successful economic regeneration of the District is to improve the skills base within the local community. It also helps combat social exclusion and disadvantage by giving people the skills to get jobs or the training to take up new opportunities.
Major regeneration schemes are changing not just the physical look of the District, but presenting new challenges in how we use our open spaces, design our buildings and give opportunities to people who live here, work here or come to visit.
Our review of the Community Strategy through the Wakefield District Partnership has identified three new challenges - safer and strong communities, healthier communities and skills and enterprise.
We want to bring more people into employment, meet employers’ skills needs and build an entrepreneurial District.
To do this, we are seeking to improve employment rates – particularly in neighbourhoods in the worst labour market position - help more people with health and learning disabilities into work, increase business growth and finally, increase skills, knowledge and motivation of local people.
We are working with all our partners to ensure that we build communities in which people can take control of their own lives. Good and accessible opportunities in education and training will be the cornerstones of our success.

Councillor Peter Box
Leader, Wakefield MDC