EXETER College has become the first college in the heart of Devon to sign the Skills Pledge, publicly showing its continued commitment to developing the skills of all its staff.

The document is a voluntary, public commitment the Government wants all companies and organisations to sign to show they are committed to ensuring all employees have a certain level of qualifications.

While all Exeter College lecturers are fully qualified and take part in continuing professional development, a minority of staff in areas such as administration are being encouraged to improve their skills further by working towards relevant, valuable qualifications.

The college joins local companies such as Flybe and Stagecoach which have also recently signed the Skills Pledge. Next Wednesday, February 27, these two companies along with Exeter College and Exeter International Airport will attend an official launch of the initiative together with the Learning and Skills Council and Go Skills. The event will take place at the Flybe Training Hangar based at the airport at 11.30am.

Exeter College principal Richard Atkins who will be attending said: “As a large employer and training organisation we realise our staff are our greatest resource and we are always looking to invest in their development. We are delighted to be recognised for this.

“In addition, as one of the largest training providers in the region and the academic partner of Flybe, we are also pleased that so many organisations are making a commitment to staff training by signing up to the Skills Pledge.”