Battle to save Chichester College courses goes to the top

John Hayes, the minister of state for business, innovation and skills, has been asked to look at a decision to axe the funding for the IT learning.

He was contacted by Bognor's MP, Nick Gibb, a fellow minister in the new Con-Lib Dem coalition government.

Mr Gibb said: "I was very concerned about the decision to axe the important IT courses, particularly for those seeking new job opportunities that require these skills.

"The decision to close these courses arises from a funding decision taken by the previous government, which I expressed concern about at the time.

"I have, therefore, written to the new minister in the business, innovation and skills department, John Hayes, to seek clarification

of the new government's policy in

this area."

Mr Gibb, the MP for Bognor and Littlehampton, made his request after he met some 20 students on the threatened courses at the Chichester College outreach centre in the High Street and college officials.

The centre offers the town's only easily accessible and flexible IT learning on courses such as City and Guilds and the European Computer Driving Licence.

It has been open more than ten years and welcomed its 2,000th student in 2009. But the college announced recently the IT courses would end on July 31 because it was no longer being paid to provide them.

The courses will also be stopped at Chichester and another outreach centre at Littlehampton.

Up to ten members of staff at both centres are affected by the loss of the courses. They will either lose their jobs or have to move elsewhere in the college.

Friday's meeting was arranged by student Paul Hornsby-Smith. The 48-year-old from Derwent Close, Felpham, said some 200 students were on the courses when the decision to stop them was announced.

He wanted to gain computing skills after he became jobless following

25 years working in warehouses.

"I've been coming to the outreach centre for five or six hours a week since I lost my job 18 months ago. People come here to get better qualifications to get better jobs," he said.

"Where are they supposed to go in Bognor once the courses finish here? There is nowhere else."

Another student at the meeting, Yanna Whitehead, who attends the Chichester campus, said: "The biggest concern was the government is exhorting people to get back into work and get better qualifications and yet this valuable facility is being taken away from us.

"It's fair to say there was distress and anxiety as well as anger at the meeting about this decision. It's the fact the courses can be attended flexibly which is a large part of their success. The staff are also very helpful and dedicated."

Dr Richard Parker, the principal of Chichester College, said: "Chichester College is extremely disappointed that funding for adult learners studying a substantial number of courses has been withdrawn as part of the Labour government cutbacks.

"We are very keen to continue offering a service to the local community.

"Therefore, the outreach centres in Bognor and Littlehampton will remain open and will offer Skills for Life courses, as well as providing support and other courses for those who are unemployed."