Local London Assembly Member, Florence Eshalomi AM, today attended the launch of the Passmore Centre, a joint venture between Southwark Council and London South Bank University to offer apprenticeships in Southwark.
London South Bank University received £5million from Southwark Council to help create the Passmore Centre, which will support apprenticeships, skills and training in the borough. A further £3million funding has come from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) along with £4million from the London South Bank University directly, which will be used to expand the facilities needed to deliver higher and degree apprenticeships.
The Passmore Centre aims to have 2,000 students undertaking apprenticeships at the University every year by 2020. Around 600 of these are expected to achieve higher degree apprenticeship qualifications or the equivalent. By 2023, they aim to have helped roughly 1,000 Southwark residents to graduate from a high quality apprenticeship programme that will give them the skills demanded to tackle the jobs of the future.
Local London Assembly Member, Florence Eshalomi AM said:
“I was delighted to attend the launch of the Passmore Centre this morning. It is fantastic to see the investment going into apprenticeships across Southwark.
“The centre will be providing a ‘one stop shop’ to help employers access information about apprenticeships and potential apprentices. More centres like this are vital to improving and strengthening our local economy long term.
“Southwark Council have set an aim to create at least 2,000 more apprenticeships by 2020. The Passmore Centre will really help to achieve this. I’m extremely proud to see the commitment from LSBU and Southwark Council to supporting apprentices in the borough.”
Notes to editors
- Florence Eshalomi AM is the London Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark.