WITH one of the fastest-growing economies in England and a huge predominance of small companies, Huntingdonshire is hugely reliant on training and developing employees to underpin its prosperity over the coming decades. That is why Huntingdonshire Regiona

WITH one of the fastest-growing economies in England and a huge predominance of small companies, Huntingdonshire is hugely reliant on training and developing employees to underpin its prosperity over the coming decades.

That is why Huntingdonshire Regional College continues to sponsor the Training and Development category in The Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business Awards.

HRC's broad portfolio of training provision currently includes apprenticeships, intermediate and higher level skills, national qualifications and short courses for business and employee development across a range of business sectors.

In addition, its business advisers are fully qualified to deliver organisational and individual training needs analysis, access appropriate funding opportunities and devise unique solutions to promote growth and development, explained vice-principal Anne Phillips.

"HRC has identified the need to reward success in training and developing people working for locally-based companies, and this is reflected in sponsoring the award.

"Development of the local workforce through training and up-skilling in order to build prosperity within the region is central to the college mission statement. Working with businesses as a leading provider of training to over 400 businesses in Huntingdonshire, the college recognizes how valuable training and development are to a company's bottom line, productivity, staff performance and job satisfaction."

Ms Phillips said HRC had exciting plans to transform the facilities for vocational learning and skills in Huntingdonshire by rebuilding a 21st century college in both Huntingdon and St Neots, which will be fully DDA compliant and will house many environmental and sustainability features.

The college plans to relocate to a new site in Hinchingbrooke, Huntingdon, and to a site close to the existing campus in St Neots.

"Both new sites will place the college in highly visible and accessible locations, making it easy for young people and adults to engage in learning and for businesses to call on their local college for training.

"The intention is to create a new college that residents and civic leaders will be proud of, and one which will make a distinct contribution to the prosperity of the area."

The college's primary purpose will be a place for learning and to gain qualifications. There will be opportunities in many skills areas, from engineering to hospitality, from computing to performing arts, from basic skills to higher education, and many of the vocational areas will offer a commercial or public service - the hair and beauty salons, the exhibition gallery, the nursery and the fitness gym.

The state-of-the-art learning environment within the new college will be a mixture of specialist workshops, studios, salons, kitchens, laboratories and computer suites, general and flexible workspaces and learning resource centres.

"With a college that is able to offer first-class learning environments, state-of-the-art facilities and a vocational centre of learning excellence in Huntingdonshire, this will align to the wider vision and strategy for Huntingdonshire as a prosperous economy, a sustainable and cohesive community and a highly desirable place to live and work.

"Sponsoring this award allows the college to display its commitment to training and development.