Ben Bradley, MP for Mansfield, said he was delighted to have been asked to become an FE Ambassador by the FE Minister, Gillian Keegan.

The MP said he has consistently been a champion for FE and pushed the Government to value FE, colleges, apprenticeships and work-based learning.

He has been urging Government to create more clear routes and support into FE and learning on the job, and welcomed the announcement by the Universities Minister, Michelle Donelan, that the Government is changing its approach to social mobility.

The MP has had ongoing discussions with Government about focusing on the best outcomes for young people, rather than always pushing them towards university as a default option.

The Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, has announced that he will tear up the target to send 50% of young people to university and says FE, apprenticeships and university should be seen as equally valid routes to productive employment.

Ben added: “It’s a real honour to have been asked to become an FE Ambassador, particularly as it’s a topic that I’m so passionate about.

“We know that our colleges are at the heart of the education offer in Mansfield, and that for more and more young people the outcomes that they get from university simply don’t justify the cost.

“I’ve consistently argued that fundamentally we should be helping young people to choose the best path for them, rather than always pushing them to university as a default option.

“I’m so pleased Government is recognising the huge role our colleges have to play in both the coronavirus recovery, and for the long-term too.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Gavin, Gillian and the Department for Education to really push and promote our great colleges, and I hope it can bring good things for us here in Mansfield too.”