New figures released today by the University and College Union have shown widening gaps in skills and training across the UK. While many people in the Torbay workforce have basic skills, local MP Adrian Sanders has raised concerns over the low number of highly skilled workers.
Only 20.54% of working age people in the Bay have a degree level qualification or above, compared to 27% in Teignbridge and 33% in the South Hams.
Mr Sanders will be using the figures to argue that the Government should invest more in further and higher education in the South West and rural areas. Many areas recorded having over 50% of their workforce with degrees with Torbay coming only 490th out of 628 constituencies studied.
Adrian said: “The local economy could benefit so much from a higher skilled workforce. With more qualified workers, bigger and better businesses will be attracted to the Bay, especially after the Kingskerswell Bypass is built.”
“The Government refused to fund the full expansion of South Devon College but hopefully these figures will encourage Ministers to invest where resources are needed. Local young people want to have decent opportunities locally and it would be scandalous if the Government failed to assist them in this aspiration.”
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