Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, has paid tribute to the work that Keighley College is doing to bridge the skills gap through its work with local businesses. 

As part of the Q&A session with MP for Keighley and llkley, Robbie Moore, which centred on the recent announcement of the Skills For Jobs whitepaper, Williamson also highlighted the deep rooted industrial heritage of Keighley that has underpinned key successes in the town. 

Steve Kelly, Principal at Keighley College, said: “It’s fantastic to see Keighley College getting national recognition in parliament. Not only was the town’s steeped history highlighted, but also the work our college is doing to plug the skills gap in our district. We are committed to being at the heart of our community and working with the private, public and third sector to serve our town. 

“To be referenced by the Education Secretary as a college that is doing all the right things when it comes to building positive relationships with local businesses fills us with great pride. It’s an approach that is embedded in everything we do as we work closely with the communities that we serve, ensuring that the courses we offer are answering local demand. This national recognition further emphasises how crucial it is for the college to continue engaging constructively with the business community.

“Naturally we welcome the Skills For Jobs whitepaper as it echoes the positive work we are already doing and this will hopefully mean that other businesses will be encouraged to work collaboratively with us. We are so pleased to see that our community-led approach of forming tight knit relationships with local businesses is being recognised. We strongly believe that this will help us continue providing students with the right skills for now and in the future.

“As we look ahead to recovering from the pandemic, it will be even more important for businesses to work with us to ensure we’re supporting their needs. The college is already becoming a central driver for economic recovery in the district as a result of partnering with local support services and we want to see this continue.”

If you’re a local business and you would like to partner with Keighley College, then please contact clare.fitzgerald@keighleycollege.ac.uk.

What better time than January to give your CV some TLC? As we head into the new year, it’s important that we bring with us a refreshed perspective on the world of work.  

A difficult year for many, the past 12 months has seen people lose their jobs due to the pandemic. Whether you’ve become unemployed, been made redundant or just looking for a career change, an excellent CV can make you stand out amongst other candidates. 

Tips for creating the perfect CV

1. Relevance is key: When applying for a role, make sure the experience showcased on your CV is relevant to the job. Always crosscheck your CV with the job description and tailor it to make it clear why you’ll be able to deliver in that role. 
2. Attention to detail: Avoid any spelling or grammar mistakes, as recruiters are likely to judge you for this. Ask someone to proofread your CV and give you constructive feedback.
3. Keep it simple: Be clear and concise. A CV needs to be easy to read and is usually best kept to two pages. Don’t be afraid to take out past experience if it is not relevant to the role.
4. Include a personal statement: Shout out about how your experience relates to the job in an opening statement. Here, you can really showcase your skills and demonstrate why you’re the best person for the job.
5. Add personality: Your hobbies and interests are a great way for employers to get to know more about you. Avoid generic ones such as ‘socialising’ and try to include interesting hobbies that demonstrate dedication or teamwork. 

A survey showed that employers take less than a minute to decide if an application is worth consideration, so it’s vital that your CV ticks all the employability boxes. 

For additional support with application tips, interview guidance and job advice, get in touch with our friendly team at the Skills Support Hub.

The Skills Support Hub is a community initiative to help adults and young people back into work.

Residents in the Keighley district can access the support hub by emailing skills@keighleycollege.ac.uk, calling 01535 685006 or dropping in to college.